Hearing Zone

Dr. Ray is a gentle, kind Dr. who works extremely well with squeamish people like me. I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking ear wax removal. He is timely, courteous and knowledgeable. And, I can say the same about his receptionist.

Dr. Ray is the absolutely wonderful, I am very hard of hearing, what they call in the industry a difficult to fit patient. Dr. Ray works with the hearing aid companies to truly get the best for his patients, he fitted me in three different aids for a month each and we returned every one of them at no cost to me! Finally, we were able to get a pair that have improved my life immeasurably and I am so grateful. It was very necessary for me to try out these different aids as I am a busy mother and professional and my severe hearing loss was quite limiting for me. Also, Dr. Ray takes lots of time to ensure that the devices are properly programmed and really working for his patients. Because he has two locations both with easy parking nearby, it is very convenient to pop in and get an adjustment. Perhaps this is what I appreciate most about Dr. Ray, his generosity in accommodating his patients is unheard of, he will stay late or come in early to ensure that one’s hearing aids are working at their fullest capacity. His office staff is wonderful too, very polite and professional. I am so glad that I found Dr. Ray! On another note, while you might be tempted to head to Costco for hearing aids, don’t — their people are not trained audiologists, they have no medical training what-​so-​ever so while you think you are getting a deal, in reality you lose so much with improper fittings and to be honest, when the hearing aids don’t work well, you don’t end up using them. Dr. Ray carries the top of the line, is deeply knowledgeable about the industry, new trends and improvements in the technology and he is a wonderful, caring professional, I would not trust my hearing to anyone else.

Generally I am very wary of doctors, especially those that don’t work for an enormous bureaucracy like Kaiser (I know, it doesn’t make any sense, but I’ve just had bad experiences with private practice doctors). In fact, I think I can safely say I hate most doctors.
But I do not hate Dr. Crookston, no no. He’s great! I work in a loud environment and play music and he fitted me for ear plugs. He is very easy going, and approachable. As far as bedside manner goes, he’s one of the best. The staff at the front desk are nice too.
The device I took home is a miracle. I can’t believe I waited so long to go in.

I’m an early middle-​aged lady who has had borderline poor hearing for quite a while. It’s hard for us to admit we have a hearing problem and *gasp* we’ll need some big olé ugly cans on our ears. We’re all looking down the barrel of cronedom enough as it is and nothing screams OLD LADY more than hearing aids.
It was like nothing was immediately obvious anyway, but my husband was getting tired of trying to reinterpret the jacked up responses that came out of my mouth. Half the time I didn’t even realize I misheard him — our brains are hella good at filling in the blanks without us even realizing it. Unfortunately these same brains make a lot of errors in the process.
All of this to say that I had a problem that: a) I didn’t realize I had; b) once I realized it, I was loathe to get the damned aids that’d solve it. I’m vain and did NOT want people staring at my ears and thinking I’m old/​dumb.
Finally I knuckled under and made an appointment at the Hearing Zone. Thank God. All the folks there, from the office staff to each of the audiologists (Mei Ling Miller tested me; Crookston-​the-​Younger fitted me) were SO sweet and professional. They understand all the issues (uh, shame, apprehension, guilt) when it comes to getting cyborg ears.
They fitted me with a really sweet set of new ears that are so tiny that I can wear my hair up and you’d have to squint to see them. Although my hearing loss is considered «mild» having my new ears has made life so much easier. I don’t ask people to repeat themselves, but it’s even more subtle that that — I didn’t realize how much energy my brain was using to run its crappy word-​substitution program. I feel less ditzy and disconnected.
I’m fortunate enough to have my aids covered by insurance — and the office staff went the extra mile to make sure my authorization came through.
tl;dr: Getting aids makes me anxious; the Hearing Zone people made it very easy and made sure I felt like a decent human being in the process.

I have been to numerous audiologists through the years. I am a middle aged woman with severe hearing loss in my left ear, and moderate hearing loss in my right ear. Sudden hearing loss is frightening and isolating.
Dr, Ray Crookston has gone way above and beyond to help me. He is knowledgeable, kind, and patient. Since I am in the counseling profession, it is critical that I optimize my hearing. Dr. Crookston thought carefully about which devices would best meet my needs. His ability to listen to my anecdotes about how my devices are working, and then to program my hearing aids accordingly is masterful.
Rainy in Alameda

These guys were great! I got personalized hearing protection because I play guitar in a band. The doctor was straightforward with me about the cost up front. They helped me to put them in the first few times (not as easy as you might think). They were very friendly. I highly recommend this place!

The staff here is the absolute best in customer service. I have been other places, but the service I received here really stands out.
Thank you so much!

Dr. Ray Crookston is a top notch Audiologist! He did not hesitate to spend as much time as needed to adjust my hearing aides to the perfect settings. I’ve seen Ray numerous times over the past three years for minor adjustments and testing. It’s always a pleasure to see him. He is very accommodating and always addresses my needs and never seems to rush me out! I highly recommend him!!!

A few months ago I went deaf in one ear, without any explanation, not a clue only severe vertigo.
So I went to see an ENT who seemed very nice and knowledgeable about his specialty but in the end there was still no evident reason for my sudden loss of hearing. He discouraged me from trying hearing aids.
Cue in doctor #2, also a very nice man who was also unable to find a cause –and by default a treatment– for my ailment. However, he encouraged me to look into hearing aids.
I came across Hearing Zone one day when we were going to the Alameda Theater (it is directly across the street, but if you blink you’ll miss it).
I made an appointment to see Dr Crookstone and boy am I glad I did; not only is he the nicest person, great smile, very accommodating but he made me feel like there’s some hope for me. I have tried a couple of devices and I can see/​hear that we are on the right track. He took care to explain to me in plain language the different options and prices.
I would highly recommend going to see this doctor.

Crookston is the chronic.
My mom is damn near 80 years old and can’t, among many, many other things, hear shit.
For example, if I says to her something along the lines of, «What do you want for dinner?» she’ll reply something along the lines of, «What’s in my liver? How am I supposed to know? What the hell kind of question is that? Is there even more wrong with you than what I know about?»
Long story a bit shorter: We hauled Moms in to Dr. Raymond Crookston’s outfit, Hearing Zone, and he hooked her up with some serious-​ass hearing aids that turned her into Lindsay Fucking Buckingham.
I’m sorry.
I meant to say Lindsay Fucking Wagner.
You know.
The Bionic Woman.
The one with the kick ass hearing.
Upon reflection I doubt that Lindsay Fucking Buckingham’s hearing is all that great anymore, rocking, as he has, all that… um… AOR/MOR…um…stuff…all these many years. And what with him being nearly as old as my mom.
Then again, for all I know Lindsay Fucking Buckingham’s hearing may well be all that. JUST WHO THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO BE ANYWAY? LINDSAY FUCKING BUCKINGHAM’S FUCKING AUDIOLOGIST?
Please, peeps, let’s try to keep things in perspective here, mmmkay?
Anyhow, my point is this: my mom, who, as I previously indicated, couldn’t hear shit before, can now hear shit. All kinds of shit. So much shit that we now have to be careful whenever we say anything around her. Or in the same county as her. Whereas before my brother, Bachagalupe, and I could holler at each other right in front of her about anything from disappearing her beloved and infinitely annoying terrier to selling her car and claiming it was stolen with Moms none the wiser, now we’ll whisper to each other something along the lines of «I think Moms needs a bath» and from a couple of rooms away we’ll hear, «I heard that, you no good goddam punks! Fuck you!»
Dr. Crookston (who, for whatever reason, I like to think of as Dr. R.C. Coolah) has affected nothing less than what I consider to be a straight-​up fucking miracle: He has given back to my mother the gift of hearing. And not just regular hearing either, but what I as a layman would characterize as crazy scary wicked-​ass fucking hearing.
That’s huge too, because someone once told me that hearing is the second most important sense. At least I think that’s what they said.
Maybe I heard them wrong.