Dr. David Ellison came highly recommended by my allergist and I can see why. I didn't realize ENTs were in such demand, but I got lucky and said all the right things/had some professional backup and was able to get an appointment within a week. I liked him immediately upon meeting him. Dr. Ellison and his staff are extremely professional and hold themselves to what they promise. He worked around my schedule and personal commitments to ensure I was taken care of. I also appreciate how the doctor himself personally returns phone calls and sees through everything. He also does things pretty much immediately when he says he will, which is very in line with my personality and earns him great respect in my eyes. I felt very at ease with him and trusted his opinion. How he keeps track of all his patients and everything going on is astounding. I also think the man works day and night. I accidentally called his direct line once late night, and thought I hung up before it rang. However, he called both myself and my partner a few hours later a bit past midnight because he was concerned something had gone wrong. You're in good hands if you're fortunate enough to get an appointment with Dr. Ellison! read more

Dr Ellison is an incredibly competent and skilled surgeon and delivers medical care in a personalized , and very conservative manner. He is held in the highest esteem by his peers at MPH and is the ENT doctor that most of us want to go to for our care. Our family and our community is truly blessed to have David for the treatment of our ENT problems. He is without a doubt a 5 star MD read more

Incompetent, arrogant and dismissive. I get doctors are rarely on time, super busy, and probably work as much as the next blue collar but overworked in terms of white collar but dude... not only did you give horrible advice, prescription that did nothing but also didn't follow through with the allergy referral as you said you would. Wasted $354 for five minutes (yes that's literally how long he was in the room) and didn't even bother to try to understand anything prior to diagnosis... this must be a joke. Gonna go back and stick with ucsf here on out. At least there you get doctors with experience, who care and you leave with dignity not incompetency and worse, still not feeling well. read more

David Ellison, M.D - Otologists Near Me - Burlingame, California

Dr. Ellison is the best doctor you could ever ask for. My daughter and I am his patients and we love him! read more

Dr. Ellison is a wonderful physician. I came to him with a severe upper respiratory infection & ruptured ear drum . He was caring & I liked the fact that he was cautious but conservative in treating the problem - no unnecessary medications or procedures . read more

We took our child to see Dr. Ellison after a bad experience with another ENT. He was thorough, competent and kind. His level of care was above reproach and we were very pleased. He handled a difficult examination with a young child very well and was caring and patient throughout. We would enthusiastically recommend seeing him if your child has ear, nose or throat issues. The only downside is that the word is out on how good he is and it can take a while to get an appointment. This is hardly his fault. There are only so many hours in a day. read more

This is a review for Dr. Ellison caring for my husband in 2014. My husband had undiagnosed cancer of the layrnx. He had been to several doctors but the cancer had been misdiagnosed as copd. It was a very hard time for my husband who I had to drag to any doctors office. Thank God we found him. He really admired Dr. Ellison as did I. My Greg loved going to see Dr. Ellison. He operated and removed the cancer. He did much more than that he was a good friend to us both. Thank you read more

I received a referral for Dr. Ellison as a reputable ENT. I was actually looking forward to getting his opinion but the receptionist I called kept trying to book me with "other great doctors at this office." After a few minutes of struggles, I had to bluntly ask whether Dr. Ellison was booked or whether he even worked there! It turned out that it was the former. I would have cared much less if he said, "Dr. E is booked until mm/dd, what do you want to do? We also have other great doctors if you need to be seen sooner." I normally don't like to leave reviews without multiple visits/data but I am writing to suggest this business to be more upfront and helpful. We are looking for patient care providers. I'm going to keep looking. read more

It amazes me that there are negative reviews here! There must be other factors at play, because as a medical professional we have never worked with anybody better than Dr. Ellison. We cannot recommend him enough. He removed our son's tonsils and adenoids recently. Our son is very nervous of doctors because of a traumatic experience a couple of years ago. Dr. Ellison was especially gentle and patient. It was obvious from the first meeting how much he cares about his patients and their families. He even opened up the office on a Saturday just to see us when a known issue developed following the surgery and he wanted to confirm that everything was ok. I can wholeheartedly say that we feel like both us and our son made a friend as a result of the surgery. Nobody wants their child to be operated on, but if I ever do have to trust somebody with such a huge responsibility with our son I hope I find somebody in the same league as Dr. Ellison. read more

In 2009 I had a biopsy done on a lump in my neck, after an appointment I was told it wasn't cancer after which I never got a call back from this office after numerous calls and a letter via u.s. Mail. I saw my internist 3 months later who immediately sent me to ucsf. The doctor immediately sent me for a biopsy and MRI and told me it was a bad stage 3 tumor. Having just passed my 5 year survival anniversary, I've been on a long road to recovery. I love with constant severe pain and adrenal insufficiency resulting from the tumor resection surgery. My advice is to stay away from this office. Go to ucsf or Stanford. read more

Referred to this provider by primary physician after a month of unsuccessful treatment of ear and sinus infection. Told that the earliest I could be seen is seven weeks! After getting full runaround from staff I was told that they would contact on-call physician. Waited on hold for 20 minutes (after 40 minutes on hold before and two calls). I was told that they would be sending my information to the on-call doctor and would get back to me. Never happened, no call back. This is the state of American medical system, it sucks! read more

What a wonderful doctor! The way doctors used to act. Spent time, was super gracious, thorough exam. Personally followed up on the phone. Such a refreshing experience. Can't thank him enough!! read more

Nursing staff is great, couldn't be better. My only complaint is the doctor's reluctance to share info about what's going on with my mom's condition. Using terms like "I don't know" doesn't sit well with me. read more

Years ago in a park, playing football, leaping high for a pass, the back of a defense men's head snapped back hard into my left check bone and nose just as I caught the football for a touchdown. I stood there alone and straightened out my nose (it was flattened over to the right) with a quick jerk. A teammate came over shrugged and told me it looked OK. I thought, 'that wasn't too bad, just lots of blood." As I continued playing, I found that whenever I spoke, my left cheekbone clicked - and click it did, whenever I talked, for years on end. I suppose I should have used that time as an opportunity to learn the African clicking language of Khoisan (thank you Google for finding that info in only .28 seconds). I soon found out I also couldn't breath through my left nostril (scar tissue it turned out). It started bothering me more and more. However, I knew someone who got a lousy nose job and had regretted the "invasive" nature of it, and that term stuck with me and so I never dealt with it. Finally though, I was about to lose my excellent insurance with my choice of doctor as a divorce was finalizing. I knew it must be now or never, even though I was convinced I'd have horrible pain for a month. Well, since my results and service were so super superb, and since I had any Doc in the world to pick from, I suppose I'm duty bound to share my method of picking the right practice and the perfect physician out of the millions I could have chosen from. I chose the first practice that was close and I had a feel for. Then, I took a liking to Ellison because of the back-to-back "Ls" and his picture had that look, like - "I know..Yes, I do know...Yes, I do...I've got this." It's kind of like Richard Pryor in that prison movie when he's first walking into jail and he's saying real loud, "I'm bad....Yeah, I'm bad.....I'm real bad," except for Ellison it's calmingly real without a word. I had to wait a month for an appointment. I was concerned about that wait, plus the additional wait for the surgery, and whether I would beat the clock on the insurance. The nice and professional staff suggested I keep checking in to see if an opening became available. I did so almost daily and soon checked on openings with other surgical doctors (whether they had one "L," or no "Ls," it didn't matter) in the practice, but not one opening became available earlier. I guess they all "had it, or were bad" On the day of my appointment the waiting room was crowded, but you need not worry, there were still plenty of magazines available. By the way, I didn't see a sign that said you couldn't take the magazines home with you, so I think it's all right to do so. Yes, lots of people, but lots of Docs, so they get you in quickly. Ellison has a nice, calm, confident, intelligent, and knowing way about him, the way he moves, speaks, and examines you. He even appreciated my sense of humor with a sly smile (or he was appeasing me). Either way, I felt in good hands. He told me I had some big scar tissue that needed to be removed and he also needed to move the septum over and use some of the cartilage from it to build up the nostril opening into my whatsamajigger (I'm pretty sure he used that term). That septum thing I didn't like - my "too invasive" fear. He said it was the thing to do and seemed absolutely sure about it. MARY LYNN schedules surgeries and was able to get me in just under the deadline (thank you). I'd also like to thank the rest of the office personnel who were great; CLAIR, RAYSHAWN, DAMARIS, and DELMY. By the way Mary Lynn, I asked Ellison if you had a significant other and he told me you were, "married, happily." Oh well :) Ellison visited me a half hour before the surgery. I told him I decided to just have the scar tissue removed and not to do the septum thing as it would be again "too invasive." Well, we had discussed this twice already. He knew it was less than half the job and in the long run I wouldn't be happy. Ellison would have no part of it and he knew just what to do. In sales it's called a "Take Away." He immediately put up his hands like he surrendered, smiled, and said, "No problem, we'll cancel the surgery or have it postponed," and started stepping away backwards, like 'see ya.' Imagine all the implications that went through my head in that instant, all coming down to one word, "woos." I said, "No, no, let's go ahead as planned." He then asked me what was my concern and I told him I was concerned about losing feeling in my nose as I heard Micheal Jackson had. He then explained that the nerves didn't go through where he would cut. Bottom line - surgery was on Wednesday and now it's Sunday. I breath great, I'm in no pain and haven't been since the day after the surgery (and not ever too bad either), my nose looks great, and get this, I was in some noodle joint in San Gabriel, bought a mega lottery ticket and won $333 million dollars. Yesiree bob, except on that last thing. read more

Dr. Ellison had taken out a plastic sticker deep inside my daughter's sinus, took out my son's tonsils and helped me after a thyroid surgery done by another doctor left me with vocal cord complications... each time he has been most caring and competent. even on Christmas eve he answers the phone right away... if you need and ENT i highly recommend him. I have been a healthcare professional myself for 25 years and am so happy he is practicing in my area! read more

Expect to wait in this office. Dr Ellison cares more about money than treating the patient. Would not come back to this place. Better options out there. read more

Dr. Ellison removed my daughters tonsils and adenoids. 13 days later she had a post tonsillectomy bleed and was back in the operating room. 10 days later she comes in my room in the middle of the night terrified as blood is pouring out of her mouth. We rush back to hospital and she is now going in for her 3rd surgery. That night while in the hospital yet again she has blood pouring out of her mouth so they take her in for a 4th surgery. It's quite obvious that they did something wrong and to top it all off they came into her room 3 hours after her fourth surgery and wanted to discharge her. If you love your children DO NOT take your child here. We are lucky our daughter is alive read more

I can't believe your phone line. I continued to hold for more than 10mins, but still can't get to the appointment front desk. This office is extremely hard to get through the appointment line. man, sucks. read more

My wife took our son for a consultation with Dr. Ellison (simple office visit). During this appointment, Dr.Ellison checked our son's nose, ears and throat, After that visit, instead of receiving a bill for an office visit copay ($15), as it would be expected, we got a bill for $220.50 for a "nasal endoscopy". My wife was present during the whole visit and was never informed, at any moment during the consultation, that a separate procedure was being performed during this office visit, and at an additional charge; otherwise she would have declined it. It really feels like a trap, you come in for a simple consultation and have other procedures built in your bill. My wife has been in touch with the Dr's office and Palo Alto Medical Foundation that refuse to reverse these charges. Our perception is that this is an unfair billing practice, meant to gouge the insurance company and the patient, as well. read more

Dr. Ellison is definitely the go to guy for any Ear Nose and Throat problems you are having. At the age of 18 I started getting strep throat, and tonsillitis quite frequently, I was referred to Dr. Ellison when the antibiotic I was given for what was thought to be strep was not working. He was able to quickly diagnose that I had tonsillitis. After more than a few visits to him with my reoccurring tonsillitis he recommended I remove my tonsils. The surgery from start to finish was a smooth experience. All my pre-op and post-op appointments were informative and Dr. Ellison was patient to listen to any of my concerns. He also was very gracious to my Mom after my surgery was completed letting her know I was just fine. He checked on me later that evening after my morning operation and gave me the clear to head home. All in all I've had a very positive experience with him and his office staff, I highly recommend read more

He's just amazing. Calm. Patient. Right amount of details. I wish I knew him earlier.

Both my wife and I have been patients of Dr. Ellison for 10+ years. He's a true professional with excellent bedside manner. He's not one to recommend surgery without exploring other options and is very good about explaining possible outcomes etc. He's the best ENT in the Bay Area read more

Dr. Ellison is amazing. My children have been his patients over the span of 20 years, and it just doesn't get better than Dr. Ellison. He's gentle, kind, and extremely skilled. He goes the extra mile. Honestly, I could never say enough good things about him... He's the ENT you're looking for. :) read more

Dr. Ellison is the best ENT doctor in the Bay Area! He has a Great personality and listens to his patient in great detail, I highly recommend this doctor. I did my rhinoplasty ( along with another procedure) four weeks before my wedding....he did an AMAZING job! I would not hesitate to combine procedures with this doctor as he knows his stuff well! Whoever was doing his admin work and scheduling in 2008 wasn't the greatest! She had some serious attitude and personality issues! Don't be surprised if she doesn't return your calls! But, the doctor is AWSOME! read more

Excellent doctor! Honest. Professional! My daughter has been with him for 12 years!!! He's amazing.

Dr. Ellison is always professional, caring and effective. I never feel rushed and he always answers questions. As I mentioned to one of his assistants once, he is humble yet confident, and this is rare in the medical profession. He answers emails in an extremely timely manner and he seems to respect his patients, no matter how challenging their conditions or how worried they seem. PAMF is fortunate to have Dr. Ellison and I hope he remains in practice for many years to come. read more

If I could give zero or negative stars, I would. If you want your child to be afraid of doctors forever, take him to see dr Ellison. I brought my 4 year old to get checked for adenoids, the doctor asked him to open his mouth once but my son got scared when he saw the tongue suppressor and did not comply, so without even asking a second time, he grabbed his face and started squeezing his jaw to open by force. I was shocked, and had to tell him to back off. He appeared to get frustrated and left the room. After he returned, my son opened his mouth for a look also let the doc stick a wire with a camera all the way up his nostril , after which doctor Ellison gave a false diagnosis that his adenoids are normal. Save yourself the trauma and see dr Koltai at Stanford. read more

This is a terrible doctor. He has no "bed manners" at all and I doubt that he has any serious medical knowledge. His office manners are also very negative. Patients are not welcomed to his office. He probably would prefer to not see any patients. His white coat was dirty. His office staff does not act professionally. One has to wait one month and a half for an appointment. And to top the whole thing, this office did not post my payment when I made a payment and then was asking me for it 2nd time. Stay away from this doctor. I went to see him only once and I will never be back. read more

Dr. Ellison is an amazing doctor esp. with kids. We have first contacted him when our 10 month old son was getting recurrent ear infections...i was not very positive towards getting ear tubes for him before he was 1 year old....he really respects your decisions and he carefully assessed if my son was even able to clear his fluids. we tried everything to avoid ear tubes but at the end we together weighed all our options and decided ear tubes are the best option we have. and the procedure only took 5-10 mins and dr. elision was very supportive answering all our questions through email and phone after the procedure. He is a very busy doctor but he always will squeeze you in if he thinks the patient needs attention right away. I highly recommend him if anyone looking for ENT for their infant/kids read more

My experience with Dr Ellison has been great. My 4 yr old needed to have his tonsils out - Dr. Ellison removed his tonsils & adenoids and I felt safe and confident in his skills through the entire process: evaluation, diagnosis, pre-op, surgery, after care. It is VERY hard to decide to put you little boy uder anesthesia but we felt confident under the care of Dr. Ellison. read more

Absolutely the BEST physician ever! My baby had tubes put in her ear this morning. Excellent bedside manners, excellent with kids, extremely knowledgeable, very calming personality. read more

Dr. Ellison recently performed a tube replacement for my son. His interactions with my son in the initial patient visit, pre-surgery, and post-surgery have been super positive. He gave him the attention I would appreciate to receive if I were his patient. read more

Loved him. Came by referral from my primary care doc who is outside of any network and one of the few who still works independently. I haven't been to an ENT in forever and the last time I went it was so painful I was terrified to ever go back. Dr. Ellison was personable, made conversation, had a nice sense of humor and besides the fabulous bedside manner took time to explain what he was doing and said it wouldn't hurt. And sure enough it didn't. I thought he was fabulous and while my preference is to stay out of doctors offices, if I had to go back i certainly would. He's a keeper and really knows his stuff. Thorough in exam and explanation without feeling rushed or shushed. read more

I was referred to Dr Ellison, by my allergist who highly recommended him, for turbine reduction surgery. I couldn't breathe at night and I was constantly stuffy (I have year around allergies). My visits were great, everything explained and I had the surgery about a month and half ago. This type of surgery is no picnic, but the result is I can breathe and no more stuffy nose, no ill side effects. My medical treatment from start to finish was really good and results wonderful. I highly recommend. read more

I hesitated to write this update as not to bad mouth him until I saw Fabiano C's review. Better late than never.! I now see Dr. his partner, Dr. Bock who is much better; when I saw him back in 2003, he was acting funny, asking if I was mad; I thought "what are you talkng about?!" I was 23 and eventhough on my mother's insurance sense I was in college, he still had the nerve to call her and talk to her about the proceedure, telling her a bit more than he told me. He couldn't even trust me to go home and talk to her; I am not even mentally retarded.! So, well he is a good doctor at the top of his game, he isn't the same Dr. Ellison I knew years ago. read more

I have been his patient for 14 years, and Dr. Ellison is the most incredible doctor. He is highly knowledgeable, intelligent, thorough, attentive, patient, and trustworthy. He is also very compassionate and kind. He has broad and deep knowledge about his specialty ESN and medicine in general. He gives great advice, and prescribes all the right medications. His diagnosis has always been exactly correct, even when other good and well-respected doctors were confused about the same issue. He took my tonsils and adenoids out a few years ago, and it went very well. He was supportive and caring through the whole process. In addition, Dr. Ellison has a very therapeutic effect on me and all the people I know who see him. No matter how badly I feel before the appointment, he leaves me feeling better. He is a specialist and a person of the highest caliber. It is very lucky to have the chance to see such a doctor. I recommend Dr. Ellison unconditionally, and am grateful for all the amazing work he does for the world every day. read more

Dr. Ellison has treated me and my children for years. He is the greatest. He has always been professional, helpful, personable and gone above and beyond to ensure that we had the best possible care and outcome for the situation. We can always count him, and I would not go anywhere else. It may take a while to get an appointment, but worth the wait. read more

i saw him two times at san mateo hospital. i was his patient. i had a deviated septum problem i had such a hard time to breath and he kept giving me allergy medicines and i told him one day im tired all these medicines notting helps i can clearly tell my nose s bone not straight i mean u can tell clearly he said that i dont need it, then i start feeling so tired and weak person cuz i cant breath from my nose, he said i need to see terapist , I VE NEVER SEEN A BAD DOCTOR LIKE DAVID ELLISON !.. he messed up my life, any other doctors i went said u need a surgery !! and i fixed it from somewhere else all my problems solved !! i think he did in purpose cuz he knew he wasnt gonna get money from me cuz it was cheap medical thing.. i dnt wanna tell details.. but im beggin u guys please dont go this doctor he is after ur money... i swear to my god ! read more

I've gone to Dr. Ellison on and off for over twenty years, and my experience with him has been consistently excellent. He is a very knowledgable doctor, who listens to what you have to say as a patient. He is a very nice person, and his manner as a doctor is exemplary. I'd recommend him to anyone. read more

Best ENT in the Bay Area. Extremely knowledgeable, professional and amicable. Best doctor I have ever had!!