Dr. Charles Augustine Syms, MD

My Mother went to see Dr Charles Syms for a Cochlear IMplant evaluation. Allen the tech who conducted the test was very pleasant, thorough and considerate of my Mom's age and lack of mobility. After the hearing test we were taken back to the waiting room to wait to have results of hearing test discussed with us. Dr Syms was very thorough, explained everything well and talked about what my Mom would need to do prior to her cochlear implant evaluation. The staff set the appointments that day for her CT and MRI so there were no calls to be made later and Dr Syms and his staff discussed the vaccines she would need to get prior to the procedure from her primary care doctor. The staff was thorough and did not rush us through. It was a long appointment (3 hrs) but there was so much accomplished in those 3 hrs and no return trip to get results. My Mother and I are grateful for Dr Charles Syms and his staff.. One's health can not be rushed and I don't know of any other Doctors… appointment that I have ever been to that there wasn't at least a 15 to 30 minute wait. Getting test results and future appointments scheduled and taken care of in the same day of the initial appointment is unheard of.

Positive comment first, check in and check out staff friendly and efficient and Mike the assistant that administers testing is easy going and has a great sense of humor. Negative comments, 3 different medical assistants and all 3 are medically unprofessional. Lack of knowledge on social and patient interaction skills, unorganized, impatient, forgetful, basically "I don't have time for you" attitude. Dr. Syms, he may be experienced, educated and knowledgable, however being arrogant because of his credentials is no excuse to be condescending. He made me feel embarrassed and belittled when I asked valid questions on ruling out the previous diagnosis when I have every right to understand his conclusion. Believe me, if it wasn't for the referral due to a long history of medical issues, I would not have spent my time or money at this facility, GO ELSEWHERE!

Dr Syms is competent but overall the practice is crooked. You will usually just see a PA and they will stall any effective treatment to get as much money out of you as they can. I suffered dizziness for over a year, had multiple visits with PA and paid $500 for tests. The solution was to eliminate caffeine, red wine and fried foods from my diet. They could have told me that much earlier and saved me aggravation, time and money. Very unprofessional - I went to them off and on for 15 years- could make a list of complaints - but the bottom line is- Go Somewhere else! I transferred to another ENT and everything is better. I learned there were more things that Ear Medical Group had been misinforming me about. Avoid Ear medical Group if you value your health. - seriously!

I will never go back to Charles Syms or refer anyone to him. He seems like he's always in a hurry. I regret letting him touch my ears since then I've had nothing but problems. He was such in a hurrry that he dropping instruments. You can't get anyone to return your calls. Find someone else.

Friendly staff and great bedside manner from Dr. Syms. My main issue is getting call backs from the nursing staff. I realize they have a busy office but its almost impossible to get a call back in a reasonable amount of time.

Wait time is absolutely insane, especially when you are delegated to a PA at the end (although at all points of making the appointment, and even after the hearing tests, you are told you are going to see the doctor). I waited three hours (because they are ALWAYS behind), and then went to see the lady in the hearing aid station. The clerk there wouldn't let me see her. She then told me (in the future) to go see Robin while I'm waiting to see the doctor. How am I supposed to be two places at once? I am very frustrated at the lack of concern about the patient's time, especially when it's "your turn" and you aren't able to get the care you paid very good money to get.

Rude to us as paying pt. The dr is great tho!

I tried to go to him for a 2nd opinion, but his receptionist would not let me have an appointment without going through hours of testing and many $$$$'s first. Ridiculous. The receptionist was rude and I realized that I didn't want to see this doctor anyway. Just being on the phone with his office was a bad experience.

First appt. waited for over 1 1/2 hours after having 3 hours of tests. Next visit I waited for 50 minutes and was still in the lobby. When I asked the receptionist what was going on she told me the nurse informed her he was 1 1/2 hours behind. I had a 10 am appt. Now they are telling me it is 12-12:30. I left.

I had a problem with vertigo about 8 years ago and saw Dr Syms at that time. Staff ran tests and I saw Dr Syms at the end of the testing for about 15 mins. Since then I've gone in for med refills and see a PA each time Last year I went in after 3 years and still didn't see the Dr. He and the other drs in the practice have about 4 PA's and that's who you see.I know most PA's are great and his are as well except for one. we just seem to have a personality clash but I seem to get him every time. I've asked NOT to see him and heis the only one open. HUM!I wonder why?? Dr.Syms is a very good Dr. but be prepared to never see him. I even complained about that and he wrote me a letter telling me in so many words that his practice is so busy he is seeing new patients so PA's see old ones. I'll be switching after this visit.