Professional Ear Wax Removal
in Pleasanton, CA

My husband & I tested positive for COVID this AM. We both were able to very conveniently make online appointments for medical evaluations within 30 minutes of our requests. The UC Village-Albany Urgent Care clinic is modern and attractive with highly efficient, very welcoming, friendly, professional & personable administrative and medical staffs. All of the medical personnel have very kind and empathetic bedside manners and listened very well to (and heard!) and were responsive to our medical concerns and questions. We both were in and out of our appointments within 30 minutes. We are very appreciative and truly grateful to have your clinic so conveniently located near our home. Please keep up the great work!

After visiting Carbon about 10 days ago for an ear canal that was clogged with wax, my symptoms returned (ear pain, moist discharge from the ear canal.) So, unable to get an appointment with my PCP, I scheduled an appointment at Carbon. This time a different doctor saw me. As soon as she entered the room and asked me what was going on and learned that I had been using carbon oxide drops to try and re-clear my ear, she berated me and told me that I should not do that. She berated me over and over, like I was a stupid person, which put me off guard and had the effect of shutting me up. Then she looked in my ears and pronounced me to be healthy… nothing wrong. It felt like she wanted to be done with me. I told her that I had pain in my ear (to which she interrupted “take Advil”) and that every morning I woke up with a moist and slightly not nice smelling moist discharge coming from my ear. I asked if this is something that could be solved with antibiotics or steroids. She said she could give me prednisone “if I wanted” as if I would be the one to make the prescribing decision. Then I told her about the discharge and she said that she could give me some antibiotic drops, and that I should take Guifenesen. The doctor made very little effort to understand my issue and symptoms, and she had a pretty awful bedside manner. I would not want to see this doctor again. I left having zero sense of resolution, and zero confidence in the treatment plan she gave me. I guess I will try to see my PCP or go to an ENT. This was an awful waste of time and money. She prescribed antibiotic ear drops, and did not prescribe the prednisone.

Juan, the medical assistant was good and receptive. The PA who saw me was also good but I just didn't agree with her recommendations. She was gracious to accept my opinion and she maintained her professionalism despite my disagreement. She did tell me that she was putting me on dexamethasone but forgot to explain the dosage; and also antibiotic but I already know what to do with the antibiotic. I thought the prednisone was a little high--40 mg everyday for seven days. It may be a good dose but for me, it gives me quiver and crave for food that's the reason why I was hesitant to take it. She did offer me to be nebulizer but I said I'll do it at home.