As an ear patient for 46 years of my life with aggressive congenital cholestatoma, I initially was impressed by Dr Syms and his PA when I started seeing them nearly 10 yrs ago. I still have nothing but good things to say about his PA; she is absolutely wonderful and thorough with her care of my ear. Initially, Dr Syms listened to my concerns and provided the necessary reassurance that he and his team would be able to provide. They lived up to that until after the pandemic. It was at that time that he changed his office's culture through a lax, unprofessional interactions and environment changes. It began with front office staff disappearing and some young kid with a salesman approach to "welcoming" patients happened. First issue is the kid that greets patients as they come in. He may be the nicest kid ever, but his approach is akin to a slimy car salesman. I am going to the office to ensure that my serious ear condition is taken care of and I will be able to stay alive with their continued care...and yes, my condition is that serious. This kid's lack of respect for the reality of the patient's current existence diminishes the status of what service Dr Syms provides. I can't believe that's the messaging of his brand that Dr Syms wants his current and prospective patients to experience before actually being seen by him or his PA. Second, I went to the Surprise location and was incredibly surprised about the fact that a doctor's office that focuses on neuro otology (serious conditions) would create an office environment that was no different than a pop-up, back ally doctor's office vibe. It didn't feel clean, sterile, and did not reflect the seriousness of why ear patients see one of less than a handful of neuro otologists in AZ. This concierge model of medical care for serious ear conditions is misguided and does the opposite of what patients expect. This model of care is better suited for spas, beauty, etc...but I want to trust that my doctor is going to respect the seriousness of my condition and his approach to care mirrors that need. read more

This is one of the worst medical experience I've encountered in some time. The doctor appeared 45 minutes after the scheduled time and 50 minutes after the hearing test. The reason given by the Dr her self was she had two chatty patients before me. This is not a Dr who deals with emergency situations. This level of tardiness can only reflect a poor organization. Time to update your practices and procedures or hire new staff. read more

*It's been over 2 years since I saw Dr. Sims and he said I needed Cochlear implants, even though my hearing was good using hearing aids. Since then nothing has changed. He attempted to make $$$$ off someone who was not a candidate. read more

I would recommend another ENT at all cost. Avoid the rude staff and find a place that actually cares about patient care. From the other reviews you can see I'm not the only one. read more

As someone who suffers from Meniere's Disease, my introduction to Dr. Syms was through a referral. My ENT recognized MD was beyond the scope of training and knowledge of an ENT practice. My first meeting with Dr. Syms was a breath of fresh air. From the beginning, Dr. Syms explained how living with MD can be done successfully. He fully addressed my specific issues, and developed a plan to allow living a full life with this disease. He did not coddle me, or give any pie-in-the-sky hopes. That willingness to be frank and candid was shocking and needed. Meniere's is a disease that will take your hearing over time - no question. But, having a knowledgeable doctor (Dr. Syms), a great & caring PA (Linda), and a professional staff have made my journey very comfortable. The knowledge and insights, garnered from experience and training, provided by this fantastic crew has made life enjoyable - in spite of this terrible disease. Did I have to drop $8K for hearing aids? Yep, sure did. But, that was after I tried getting away with a less costly model that didn't focus on MY needs because of MD. That expensive mistake is on me. Those "cost savings" hearing aids pushed back my progress. Cochlear implants were discussed and taken off the table by Dr. Syms. As he explained, an operation, like that, should be a last resort option, and I am nowhere near that point. My only hesitation for a full 5 Star rating is, sadly, the phone service. Communication has been spotty, at times, because of this hiccup. If you have any serious aural failing, or disease, Dr. Syms should be the one person you seek out - only if you care to live as full a life as possible. read more

I have been going to ENT specialists for 20 years. Unfortunately they have been corrupted by the allure of huge payoffs by selling expensive hearing aids and making large sales commissions. Unfortunately ENT doctors make a a mint from selling hearing aids and treat you like a customer not a patient. Dr. Syms is the slickest of the hearing aid salesmen. If you are experiencing hearing loss then I suggest that you go to see an Audiologist (they have a Phd) to get an assessment. If you are on Medicare Advantage you can get a top of the line hearing aid for $ 699. read more

I thought I was alone in my assessment of my meeting with Syms, but, after reading others reviews, I see that I am in the norm with my experience. To me it seems (now that I know he went to Barrows Neurological to practice) that Syms just was not doing well and just didn't give a crap. He told me some information of how slowly I would heal possibly and was right about that. And that, folks, is about all I got from him except some exercises that were so poorly typed out and confusing my physical therapist couldn't make them out. Ridiculous for a practice. On my own and after some research, I discovered the reason for my hearing loss myself. That is pretty pathetic when you go to some who supposedly is so highly educated as Syms is. One word: Never again. And makes me wonder how bad Barrows is now, too....hmmmm? read more

I was referred for a hearing test and hearing aids. I met with Dr. Syms who is informative but starts a whole sales pitch about why I need $8000 hearing aids as the rest are ineffective. He wouldn't recommend anything less expensive because "they don't work". I will not be back. I'm sure he believes what he's saying but the price he's asking is outrageous! read more

I wish I would have read the reviews here before my appointment with Dr. Syms at the AZ Hearing Center. Arrogant is a good description of his attitude. I hope I can save at least one person from the money-grabbing clutches of this facility. They charged $150 for a hearing test that Costco provides for FREE. And then they submit all the charges to your insurance provider, including a charge for massive ear wax build-up cleaning, which there was NONE. I call that a lie. Please stay clear. Try Costco... read more

I purchased hearing aids for $7999 from Arizona Hearing Center on October 9, 2023, understanding that if I was dissatisfied with them and returned them within 75 days, I would get a 75% refund. I attempted to return the hearing aids on day 73 but the Center told me I had to make an appointment and that I could not come in and drop off the hearing aids that day or the following day without an appointment. Further, I was told no appointments were available until after January 1, so I made an appointment for January 3. But when I arrived, I was told that the 75 days had expired, so I would only receive a 50% refund. When I returned the hearing aids I was told I had to sign an agreement stating there was only a 50% refund, or they would not accept the return. So I signed it under pressure and told the employee that the 50% refund was unacceptable. The employee said I had to speak to his manager, who refused to schedule a meeting until March. I did not want any refund until we agreed on the amount but the practice refunded only 50% ($3999) to my credit card account (without my agreement). I am still waiting for a refund of the remaining $1500 that was not previously refunded. read more

The biggest rip off Dr in Arizona. He would be better off selling used cars. He already had the sleazy look and demeaning attitude. My husband was referred to this guy by his primary care practice. He had used a Qtip in his ear like a dummy and the tip fell off and down into his ear canal. Why his primary care Dr didn't try and remove it or send him to urgent care is beyond me.. Instead he waited 2 weeks to see this "salesman".. Before he saw the "Dr" the front desk did a hearing test. With a wad of cotton stuffed in his ear!!! Then we see the Dr and he asks "how long have you had hearing loss?" I responded "since he crammed the QTip in his ear"... Dr said that would NOT affect his hearing. LOL ... I then asked why he even had a hearing test when his ear was blocked and he didn't answer me. He decided my husband was the weak link and started pitching his hearing aid sales pitch to him. Finally I had enough and I told him we were not there for a hearing aid and just pull out the cotton on his ear. He got it out but never gave up his pathetic sales pitch. We walked out while he was still making it sound like hearing loss was a death sentence.. comparing it to untreated high blood pressure! Avoid this arrogant, slimy "doctor/hearing aid salesman" and run other way. Zero Stars read more

If you think you are going to see the doctor at this practice, don't count on it. My wife's otolaryngologist could not determine the cause of her long term ear pain, and recommend she see Dr. Syms, a neurotologist/oltlaryngologist. Over the course of 16 months she saw his PA twice (never the doctor) with no resolution for her pain. With no change in her condition after the second visit, we requested she be examined by the doctor. We asked for the appointment to be at the office he has in our location. We were informed we had to go to his other location, an hour from us, so she could first be seen again by the PA before the doctor would see her. Apparently he is not capable of seeing patients without them first being screened by the PA. It also it appears at this practice the doctor comes first, not the patient. I would not recommend them to anyone. read more

Not sure why there are so many bad reviews. Dr. Syms is direct and to the point which I find refreshing. He is not a primary care doctor or urgent care. It is called HEARING CENTER he doesn't treat dizziness or run of the mill things that a regular ENT would treat. I think people need to realize having someone specialize in my hearing loss is EPIC. I tried the ENT route and the Costco route to save money but could tell the difference they just did a hearing test but didnt diagnose MY hearing loss... just like my vision I wouldnt want to just get my eyes checked by anyone if I need LASIK or something like surgery to fix/correct my vision. Not too sure about the third party answering schedulers though thats why I gave 4 stars theyre super hard to understand. Oh and I really like the coaches they call themselves and walk around with tablet things and made it seem very new era versus the packets of papers I have had to fill out at other offices. 4/5 STARS FROM ME read more

Their office screens patients to see if Dr Syms can help so I was kind of surprised when he made it seem like there was nothing he could do for me. I was so confused. I had sent my imaging reports and records and he acted like he didn't know why I was there. Wasted time and money for me to go all that way. My dizziness isn't going to be treated by him I guess. read more

I didn't want to write it at the time; but the world-renowned otoneurologic surgeon who trained me in 2010 was the late, great Johns Hopkins' John Niparko. In 2012, he left Hopkins to become the Chief of otoneurology & skull base surgery at USC's Keck School of Medicine; but when he died at a young age after a brief illness in April 2016, "Nippy" was so well respected among his former Baltimore colleagues, they wrote a glowing tribute of him. Since Yelp! doesn't allow HTML links, just google "John Niparko Johns Hopkins obituary" and the April 27, 2016 article will come up first. THIS was the guy who trained me on the urgency of treating SSNHL; and this is what led to my 2014 one-star rating of Mark Syms. Judging by the subsequent reviews -- He managed to have over 40 Bad Reviews removed (I don't know how he managed that trick!) -- but if you look at all of his "Not Recommended" reviews kicked out by the Yelp! algorithm and add them back in, you'll quickly see that calling his office is -- at best -- a crapshoot. Since I'm across the country, now back practicing in Atlanta, I don't know who to recommend for metro Phoenix ENT services... But I sure can tell you that in the subsequent seven years since my original Yelp! post in 2014, that, when Syms' "Recommended" and "Not Recommended" ratings are taken in toto into account, I can sure tell you who to avoid. read more

I was excited when I finally got a referral to go in and see the dr. Seemed like an insurance office more than doctor office but office staff was polite and the tech that did the hearing exam was super friendly and made me feel at ease. My PROBLEM is with the doctor services. He took 2 seconds to look in my ears, saying he could not see that my ear drum was ruptured but could be that it was on the mend, however he was ordering me drops just in case. That day NO prescription at my phamacy, the next NOTHING. I notified the office I got a text Friday night at 8pm that they would let the doctor know. Monday NOTHING. Tuesday I called and was told the doctor never signed the prescription and was not going to be there all week so nothing they could do!!! I could either wait until the NEXT week, call back my primary doctor or go to urgent care. $100 copay wasted!!! read more

Stay away!! Total scammer!! $8,000 hearing aids that they don't even check if insurance covers. Screw you Syms and your ridiculous lame metaphors. Your book sucks!!! read more

Do not waste your time going to this office. the staff was completely incompetent. Referrals were not sent, phone calls were not returned, results were not communicated. Dr. Syms is rude and condescending. It is not surprising that his office was easy to get into, do NOT visit this office. It is a complete nightmare. read more

I had a very bad mishap with my Cochlear Implant. It was pulled away from my skull which is where it was implanted and was protruding in my skin. The worst pain I have EVER experienced in my 64 years of life. The day after, even though I had a regular appt 2 weeks down the road, Dr Syms stayed long enough for me to drive from Yuma to Phoenix to see him. No one in Yuma knows anything about Cochlear Implants. Dr Syms is highly knowledgeable, has a great bedside manner and tells it like it is. Plus, has a sense of humor, which is hard to find in Drs. I had to wait 3 months to be able to hear again, but with Dr Syms, it was worth it. I was out of surgery within an hour and going home with absolutely zero pain or pain meds. HIGHLY recommend him. He's great same with his staff! read more

Worst worst service ever front desk is just rude, lazy and racist!!! They do not want to help out at all! First they schedule my sons appointment all they told me over the phone was that I needed an email address I had to call my daughter because I don't have one. Well today I show up to the appointment turns out I needed to fill out NP paper work at home they never provided me with that information soo they had to cancel my appointment because that was not done, on top of that my 8 years old son goes to school and I asked for a note stating we were here and Front desk refused to give me one because he was not seen. This is not aceptable at all. These girls are not there to look pretty they are there to help patients out! Very disappointed! Hopefully my doctor refers me somewhere else! There was also a guy waiting in the lobby which he heard everything and said to me Front Desk is very rude they never want to help patients out! read more

Four years ago I had surgery performed by Dr. Syms. My eardrum was rebuilt and two of the small bones in my inner ear were replaced. During my recovery I developed an ear infection, which ruptured my ear drum. The doctor didn't seem too concerned over it. Six months later, the implant never improved my hearing, so hey! Wanna buy some hearing aids? So I stopped seeing dr. Syms. I know surgery can be a crapshoot, it may not fix anything. Oh well. Fast forward to December 2018. My left ear felt plugged so I went to another Doc. They cleared out an odd waxy buildup, and........ wait for it..... a cotton wad about the size of a pencil eraser. Since I am not in the habit of shoving random cotton wads in my ear canal, I assume it's been there for four years. CURRENT DOC was "weirded out" over finding this artifact, but I can't change the past. read more

I was referred to DrSyms from my ENT after I loss hearing in left ear from a viral infection in the hospital doing wrist surgery. His front office was extremely accommodating and Linda his PA was super professional and friendly. Dr. Syms did 5 steroid eardrum injections and I just finished my 5th this week, He was very easy to ask questions for me and my wife. Trust me he did the shots with care! I still have a ways to go but I am glad I am under his care with this unfortunate loss of hearing. Fingers crossed I am back to hearing in a few months. read more

Dr. Syms is an amazing doctor. We are so glad we picked him for our 6 year old daughter's ear surgery. Our daughter was diagnosed in CA with cholesteatoma and we had a couple surgeries out in CA before moving to Arizona. We loved our Dr back in CA, but circumstances had us looking for a doctor to handle her case near our home in AZ. We saw another ENT who also recommended Dr Syms to us for our daughter's specific needs. He was amazing and efficient. The ladies in office have always been sweet and helpful. His PA is also amazing too. I would highly recommend Dr. Syms to family and friends. Our daughter really liked him too and felt comfortable. We did have to wait a little long for one of our visits but So worth it for the care she has received with Dr. Syms and his team. read more

I was referred to Mark Syms to check the growths in my mastoid cavities. The first thing the staff did before my meeting with Mark was to test my hearing. There was no reason to run a hearing test for my referral. He didn't have my MRIs to look at so he pushed for me to get a hearing aid. I do need one, but I will get one from Costco. When I had my hearing test from Costco, they found something that needed a sign off from an ENT doctor. Mark wouldn't ever look at the form. He just blew me off as HE WANTED to sell me the hearing aid. It seems to me that before a hearing test is ordered, the doctor should examine you and then order the test. In my case, I wasn't there for a hearing issue but a referral from my neurologist. After that initial meeting, I will never be going back to Mark. read more

The thing about specialists is that they're now a dime a dozen. I've had a bunch of ENTs, so I know the drill Dr Syms keeps current on the most cutting edge technology. This won't matter to you until you need it, but when you do, this is the guy to see The audiologist, PA and other hands-on staff is excellent. The office staff not so much. The one change I'd make is to have a way for the HoH to make an appointment. The answering machine isn't loud enough. read more

Had a treatment scheduling issue. So my first appointment did not happen. Got a call the next day and the tech was able to work through the problem and got me scheduled right away. Thanks. read more

I was referred to Dr. Syms by my primary care physician due to hearing loss. The appointment was pretty routing, although I did not actually see Dr. Syms, I saw a PA. They referred me to the Arizona Hearing Center for hearing aids. The Arizona Hearing Center is part of Dr. Syms' business operation. I was encouraged to buy a pair of hearing aids for $7200. I was not familiar with what else was available in the market. I asked what a comparable product would cost at Costco. I was told $4000-5000, but I was assured by Dr. Syms' sales agent that their product and support was far superior, well worth the additional cost. After buying the product, I found out that Costco's product was $1600, not $4000-5000. I returned the product I was sold by the Arizona Hearing Center during the trial period, but was charged a return fee of $250. The Costco product is not only a fraction of the cost of Dr. Syms' product, but it is superior in function, its interface with the phone is superior, and incredibly the exam at Costco was superior to what I received from Dr. Syms office. read more

His assistant was very through she covered everything I could think of, Dr Syms asked if there were any questions neither seemed as if they were in a rush. Both seemed as if they cared and not as if I was just satisfied they wanted to make sure I understood everything. Very caring doctors I appreciate that in today's crazy world. read more

While I do feel that Dr. Syms is a very nice man and a good doctor, he lacks the ability to provide adequate after care for patients. After two full nights of agonizing pain (with several phone calls to his on call doctor) I tried to get an appt the next day to see what was wrong with my ear. I called a total of 5 times in one day and I was constantly promised call backs, I never got one. I ended up in the hospital with a massive infection in my ear that had traveled into my lymph nodes. If my calls had been returned I would not have suffered the way I did. I will NOT be returning. You are only as good as your staff. read more

Avoid this doctor. He is unprofessional and while he can say he is a specialist, he was very demeaning and offensive when I saw him last week. He told me I was doctor shopping and made an inappropriate comment to my husband about his employer. As far as the doctor shopping, I have only been to one ENT prior to my visit with him. I had a sudden hearing loss in my right ear in January. Recently my left ear was exhibiting the same symptoms as the right. I had heard Dr. Syms was excellent and went on the recommendation of the hearing aid center that has fit me with hearing aids. I will give credit to his office though, they scheduled me right away and I was able to see him quickly. I was very scared and upset about my hearing and when the first comment out of the Dr. Sym's mouth was that I was doctor shopping, I should have left the room. read more

Today I had my first visit with my son after being sent from my pediatrician but what can I say it was the worse! My wife went in as only one parent can go and she is not fluent in English calls me that they didn't do much and doctor just went in and walk back out,she was more confused. So I walked up to talk to doctor for more clarification and they told me he would not talk to me as they asked my wife if she had question, so I responded that why I'm here she didn't understand anything and need clarification and this rep told me he will no talk or see you , what kind of doctor won't answer question or even clarify so that I may understand as to what happen since my wife did not understand anything but one thing I was told from beginning is that doctor leave at 315pm frustrating how they weren't willing to help or answer question and I even wonder if translated what a certified translated but will see I call and left voice mail to Rosie in charge of complaint and will see if next appointment on Thursday is even better cause today was a total loss especially since I'm am worried about my 1 year old son but that didn't care to help or newer question and if you leave office don't go back cause they won't answer anymore question or concerns read more

If you value your health , please go to another Dr. Or perhaps Dr. Syms should seek care. In the past I have seen 43 bad reviews.

Dr. Syms, his PA, Linda, and his office staff have proven to be a godsend to me. They were all professional, empathetic, and very competent. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about them. Thank you for taking such good care of me! read more

All I want to do is to be cleared so I can get a new hearing aid. I have been trying to make an appointment for a couple of weeks now. No one ever answers the appointment line and you are forced to leave a message for a call back. The call back never comes. This is Wednesday and I left my last request for a call back last Friday.. read more