I am a Kaiser member where testing found I could benefit from Hearing Aids. The audiologist informed me of Kenwood Hearing Center in El Cerrito as a service recommended to her by Kaiser Patients. Turned out two friends are Kenwood Patients for the past decade and the other for 5 years. Especially satisfied. My work has been with Inessa Rubinshteyn over the past few months. From "test drives" thru selection of Phonak and now making adjustments to my particular needs. Her manner is calm, patient and empathic. I know I am understood by her and she joins me in my celebration of learning to hear in a new way. I asked for a brief appointment for a slight adjustment and her team mate jumped in to help out. I highly recommend Inessa. read more

This place has been one of the better ones I've used, and I've dealt with a lot of audiologists. The one I worked with here (eitan) identified a problem that I'd been having with the oticon brand that the previous audio hadn't figured out. He was also super helpful and clear in his communication - and I ended up with aids that I'm really satisfied with! A+ read more

The best of the best. Quality care and hospitality. How about fresh coffee and snacks while you wait for repair? Amazing.

Hearing aids These folks are just great I've never felt in safer hands! Hearing loss is a big deal for me They worry with me! read more

I have learned that hearing issues are widely varied and can be complex. After a not so great experience with a National provider, I went to the Center for Better Hearing, and from the first consultation, they were patient, they listened to me, and gave me individualized service that exceeded my expectations. Every subsequent visit has been equal to the first. Although it shouldn't matter, the office aesthetics are a welcome contrast to the clinical setting of the National provider. It is a pleasant experience all around. read more

After a year or so my mom with her cool earbud-like hearing aids noticed they weren't working any more and just was ready to give up. I still dragged her here and Nicole quickly identified the problem- they needed to be cleaned. Which she did which made a world of difference. Can do at home with a dry toothbrush. Saved my voice that afternoon from having to yell to be heard! I took her advice and cleaned my earbuds and they work better too. She also explained that you need to wear them all the time to train your brain to work with them. Typically high frequency hearing is lost which is important for hearing certain consonants. But you'll also hear the rustling of papers and other noises which can be irritating at first. But your brain learns to ignore those sounds. Only if you wear them all the time. Definitely recommend this spot for anyone who needs or suspects they need hearing aids. read more

I had great service from Eitan over several appointments to fine-tune a complicated balance of clarity and comfort. To treat my high-frequency hearing loss, his treatment involved trying different hearing aid models, different configurations of soft domes with varying ventilation spaces, and experimenting with volume adjustments at different frequencies. Eitan is a great listener, innovative in solving technical requirements for a patient, and dedicated to good work. read more

These folks are outstanding. Bought my set here 5 years ago and have been back for regular adjustments & maintenance. Nearly all of the return visits have been free of charge. But it's the helpful, caring, and relaxed attitude shown by everyone there that prompts me to yelp them up. read more

What a great place!! I am so glad I paid a little more (as opposed to a Costco place) to get the ongoing service. They have been really wonderful. I've had a bunch of problems adjusting to hearing aids and they've been on my side all the way. Special Kudos to Joanne. read more

The expensive hearing aids are justified by their houghtful care. I've had my Phonak hearing aids for three years which puts them out of the manufacturer's warranty period, yet The Center continues to service them. I attended a session to show me newer improved Otacon hearing aids whichd are surely better for speech in noisy situations. I did.not feel pressured to buy. They seem content to continue to service my older aids. I may eventually upgrade but, for now, my three-year-old Phonaks continue to be serviceable. The Center for Better Hearing gets my endorsement for excellent service and long-term support. read more

Excellent service. After 3 years of use of my hearing aid they made a new mold to fit in my ear to provide better reception - at no cost. Ron Abraham read more

My hearing aid charger stopped working that I got somewhere else. They were extremely helpful and replaced it without any hassle. They are my new favorite audiologist! read more

Joanne Brenner is a life saver! She was able to properly adjust my husband's hear aids after years of frustration to the point where he wasn't wearing them any more. He is hearing sounds he hasn't heard in years and his sensitivity to high pitch sounds such as clanking dishes and silverware are now normal!! The sounds no longer "hurt" his ears. He's able to better follow conversations and his demeanor has changed significantly for the better. What a blessing!! Thank you Joanne - you have made a world of difference for Jack and me!! Lastly, our experience in the office was nothing short of smooth, efficient and timely! A great experience overall!!! read more

My experience choosing hearing aids with Eitan at Center for Better Hearing was very positive. He generously offered that I take the two possible models with me on my vacation so that I could have the experience of using them both over a period of time. He spent a great deal of time adjusting the levels and various options in each of them. I couldn't have asked for more attention and service. read more

Dr. Brenner gave the best, most thorough hearing exam I've ever had and I've had plenty over the years. She made an excellent recommendation taking into consideration the most recent advances with respect to improving speech comprehension in noisy environments Her office was the coolest ever with sea green walls with built-in drawers and knobs.  It had a definite Alice in Wonderland quality to it with maybe a touch of Yellow Submarine. read more

Good service, friendly people who know what they're doing, and a hearing aid that's wonderful. Can't possibly be better.

I highly recommend Better Hearing, and Joanne Brenner. She's knowledgeable, efficient, friendly and very helpful in helping make decisions about products. read more

I purchased my Otticon hearing aids form the Center for Better Hearing AIDS two years ago. All my interactions with the staff have been great. They have great customer service; they are attentive, patient, and easy to work with. My hearing aid warranty is up. I was in yesterday to follow up on the condition of the aids. The CBHA will send back my devices for a replacement of the internal digital components. When I get them back, it will be like having new hearing aids. I highly recommend the CBHA! read more

Great Place! Great Products! Great Service! Ask for Nicole Skinner, Hearing Instrument Specialist. She is excellent. read more

My encounter with Center for Better Hearing has been, in the most literal sense, a life-changing experience. Over the past couple of decades I have been living with very gradual but persistent progressive hearing loss. As a musician, actor, and linguist, this realization has been very traumatic for me, and very difficult to accept. Over the years, I occasionally considered the possibility of hearing aids, but the thought of wearing them felt like a public admission that I would never again be my true self. And on the two occasions when, on a whim, I dragged myself into a commercial hearing aid outlet for evaluation, I was subjected to a traumatically offensive combination of heavy-handed clinical ignorance and smarmy hard-sell salesmanship that left me feeling violated and angry and ashamed. Sometime over the past year, I decided to revisit the idea of hearing aids. Following recommendations and referrals from trusted friends and my own doctor, I came to Center for Better Hearing in El Cerrito. Joanne was highly sympathetic, patient, and professional. After performing a comprehensive hearing exam, she recommended a pair of state-of-the-art hearing aids. The team allowed me to try a demo/loaner pair for over a month at absolutely no cost, and with absolutely no pressure to buy. Throughout this time, the entire team provided ongoing support, responsively addressing any questions or issues I experienced. On three separate occasions, they made themselves immediately available to me without prior appointment in order to tweak the hearing aid settings, provide me with replacement batteries, or address a technical issue. Even during the quarantine, the office continued to operate on a reduced-staff emergency basis, providing batteries, replacement parts, and documentation through a secure slot they installed in their front window.) On one occasion, Joanne actually called me back on a Saturday night to help me troubleshoot an issue I experienced with the demo hearing aids. She spent over half an hour on the phone with me, patiently working to resolve the issue, although -- again -- I had not yet paid a penny. The entire Center for Better Hearing team has been incredibly professional, efficient, and accommodating from the very outset -- which is all the more impressive considering the very challenging conditions that the Covid-19 pandemic imposed on them. Every single one of them went above and beyond the call of duty, repeatedly and consistently exceeding expectations. I have had many, many experiences in the medical, wellness, and healthcare sectors -- some of them very good -- but I cannot recall ever seeing a team with the constant level of professionalism, dedication, expertise, service and care that the entire Center for Better Hearing team provided. Eitan has been consistently professional and efficient, providing a level of service excellence I have never seen from front-office healthcare staff. (He even bakes fresh cookies, which he makes available to patients in the waiting room!) Nicole has always been patient and flexible, and constantly displayed "grace under fire" in supporting me and other patients during the stressful quarantine. Joanne has been exceedingly generous with her time and expertise. (I have not yet met Greg, but I am indebted to him as well for the all-around excellence of the team he has hired and trained.) My heartfelt thanks to the entire team. I recommend this business enthusiastically and unreservedly. read more

I've been a customer of Center for Better Hearing for more than ten years. They are excellent, though not quite perfect. You can find better prices, but you can't find better service. You pay once, and then never pay again for any followups or supplies. The service is worth the extra cost up front. I give four stars because, while I'm very happy with them in general, there have been ups and downs over the years. But I recently had the pleasure of a followup appointment with Joanne Brenner - I'd give her five stars - ! She's all business, smart, knowledgeable and proactive. I learned valuable things about my hearing aids that nobody had told me before. I'm looking forward to my next appointment. read more

I wish I could give Greg 6 stars! I first went to see Greg more than two years ago, to try out hearing aids. He was especially knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. He spent a lot of time with me, patiently adjusting them on many return visits. I ended up not purchasing the aids because of financial issues and told him I would return when things improved. Note: He never made me feel uncomfortable for not making the purchase. Fast-forward two years, and I returned. Greg was as welcoming as he was the first time we met. He fitted me with the latest aids, I tried them for several weeks and made the purchase. Now I hear better than a Doberman and couldn't be more pleased with the folks at CBHA, especially Greg, for taking such good care of me. read more

If I could do no stars and/or negative ones I would do that. My husband and I went here to get hearing aids. They pushed the most expensive ones. The technician that helped us told us it would not cost anything because our insurance would cover it all. We are not naïve. We were very doubtful and repeatedly asked her if she was sure. She said they had an expert insurance person who knew what they were doing and not to worry; it would be covered 100%. We got the aids at the end of 2019. Three months later we were contacted by CFBHA and informed that we owed them money for each set of hearing aids (approximately $1,200 and $1,500), but if we didn't want to pay we could appeal the decision. We were furious because we felt that was totally wrong. We were told and assured - multiple times - that it would NOT cost us anything. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES GO TO THIS COMPANY. read more

Still pretty meh service after the first year after purchase. If you get new hearing aids every two years this is your spot - if you don't, don't expect top notch assistance from them but they will grudgingly help you. read more

They are OPEN SATURDAYS! When your hearing aid breaks on Saturday and ALL the other hearing aid technicians are closed on weekends, the Center is a lifesaver. They were honest on the phone: "I can't guarantee we can fix it until I see it but we have a lot of Phonak parts." Fixed it in 10 minutes (of which 8 were waiting for people in front of me), charged a fair price. Done. REPEAT: OPEN SATURDAYS! read more

Joanna Brenner has been my Audiologist for the past 3-4 years. I come to Bay Area yearly to visit family & one stormy winter day I lost my hearing aid & called Joanna's office & was booked immediately. I was able to get a new hearing aid at a great price & exam. This year I returned & she had changed offices. She is now at The Center for Better Hearing in El Cerrito. I received the great care & efficiency with Joanna's ability to treat people with compassion & friendliness that are lacking in other offices. El Cerrito is very fortunate indeed to have her. read more

Joanne Brenner is the greatest audiologist in the Bay Area. She is brilliant, kind and works hard to give you the best possible outcomes and experience. read more

The Center has always been very accomodating and efficient in providing me with my hearing aides. Recently Eitan Cohen helped me with an emergency need and repaired my sister's hearing aide so I could get them to her in the hospital. She was very appreciative even though they aren't her regular clinic. I would recommend them to anyone. read more

I have gotten really good service from Joanne Brenner there. Good fitting and lots of information including the selection of the right hearing aids for me, as well as follow up service. Highly recommended. read more

I am entirely pleased with the care and attention to detail provided by Jim Crane at the Center for Better Hearing Aids. Over a period of three months, Jim set up four different brands of top-line hearing aids for me to audition. I play guitar and have experience as a professional audio engineer, so I am very critical about sound quality. Here's what I found: * Starkey Halo -- distorted sound. * Oticon--high intelligibility but unnatural sounding audio artifacts on voices in a noisy room. Ping-ponging sound from one ear to the other while streaming. * Widex--lower intelligibility than Oticon. Very obnoxious beeps while streaming. * Phonak--most natural sound, even in a noisy room. Requires a separate streaming device to interface with a phone. I went for the natural sound of the Phonak. The buttons on the devices are the preferred way to control the units. Having had the experience of I using an iPhone to control the Oticon and Widex, I didn't mind giving up phone control which doesn't provide much in the way of useful adjustability anyway. I found that in a social setting, it's far more obnoxious to bring out your phone to control the hearing aid than it is to press the button behind your ear. Jim created a special program for music which is tailored exactly to the sound of my guitar. Kudos to the Center for Better Hearing Aids! read more

I have been wearing the new hearing aids from the center for better hearing for about 9 months and they are the best hearing aids I have ever worn. The service that I have gotten from Suzanne was 5+ stars. Yes, the hearing aids are more expensive than the ones from the warehouse stores, but you're getting much better hearing aids and much better service. I highly recommend their professional service and their wonderful products. read more

Easily the best hearing aid center in the bay area. I have been to three hearing aid centers in the bay area in the last year. Greg at the Center for Better Hearing Aids was head and shoulders above the other two. The others were like the dark ages compared to the Center. The Center's equipment was much, much newer and their office bright, not dingy. Greg was very personable and answered all my questions. I was with him until 7pm. His hearing test was more extensive than the other two places. He was more knowledgeable and sold multiple brands of hearing aids. The other two places offered only one brand per office. This office is also open on Saturdays. The trial period is longer than the other two places. read more

Getting hearing aids from the Center for Better Hearing was the best experience I've had with a small business in decades. The technicians there are smart, patient centered and consistently helpful. If you have a question or a problem you get it answered on the phone or they have you come in and it gets addressed in a timely fashion. They have the highest rated hearing aids on the market to choose from. I was hearing aid averse before going there, but their helpful and thoughtful approach allowed me to get the hearing aid of my choice with life changing benefits. I can't recommend them enough. read more

Nicole Skinner has been skilled and just plain wonderful in helping me select the appropriate hearing aid. She guided me though the choices and was generous with clear, professional explanations of the many features available. Compared with the two other facilities where I have gotten hearing aids in the past, the Center stands out for its responsiveness and generosity with time. Katherine P. read more

This place has gone the extra mile so far to get my elderly father the best hearing aid solution possible. He's not the easiest customer given the variety of health challenges he faces. But Center for Better Hearing Aids has not shown frustration or impatience ever (more than I can say myself)! Joanne, in particular, has been kind, professional and thorough in allowing him to try out multiple products before purchase. Eitan even went to my father's assisted living facility to take a 2nd/replacement ear mold impression when the first was lost by the hearing aid manufacturer (the Oticon factory was in the path of a hurricane and flooded!) Elderly people get taken advantage of all the time -- not at this place though... good honest people work here. They want you to purchase the right product only after a through evaluation process. read more

Joanne Brenner is the best ever. I first met her at a different location. Glad I was able to google her and make an appointment when I needed an adjustment. Joanne is Kind, Patent, Understanding, Flexible, Knowledgeable, she just wants what's best for me. I feel really comfortable with her. I have referred other family to her and she has treated them just the same. CFBH is a great place as well, helpful friendly and kind. I can see why Joanne wanted to go there. Highly recommend CFBH and Joanne Brenner. Thanks for making my life better! read more

I was very happy with the Center for Better Hearing Aids. When I was referred there by someone at the Hearing Loss Association, I was skeptical. Skeptical that my hearing loss was that bad (clearly the timer on the microwave is broken, not me) and skeptical that new hearing aids would be any better for me than the 7 year old ones I already had. Suzanne was great about working with me to update the programming on my old Oticon hearing aids until I was ready to get new ones, and steered me to a new pair from Phonak that are less expensive and more water resistant than the Oticon ones I was initially considering. I've finished the trial and recently bought them and I am thrilled- especially with the water resistance- I've gotten caught in the rain twice and sprayed in the face with a hose once since I got them and not had any problems. Before I'd be freaking out and taking my hearing aids out at the slightest chance of humidity. Suzanne was also very patient, updating the programming slowly over time to help me adapt to the appropriate level of amplification. I'd highly recommend the Center for Better Hearing Aids to anyone struggling with hearing loss. read more

I can hear again and I know why ! I finally bought myself a pair of hearing aids at the Center For Better Hearing Aids. I had been tested at my beloved Kaiser many times and told that if I wanted to I should buy some hearing aids which might help my mid-level loss in both ears. After a flirtation wit a pair I bought there I returned them because "they didn't make much difference". As a Realtor at Red Oak Realty in Berkeley, it is essential that I hear what my clients are saying all the time, that I do not miss the nuance of their comments. Until now and for a very long time that has been a more of a problem than I was willing to admit. This winter I allowed myself to see Greg at The Center for Better Hearing in El Cerrito Plaza ( plenty of parking) where over three +/- months working him I came to understand that I do have a serious hearing loss which has been corrected. Greg's style was to work patiently and meticulously with me on a regular basis, sometimes once a week, until the hearing aids were working effectively, feeling comfortable and staying put in my ears the way they must or else " why bother". I wore the testers with Greg's adjusting them until they were perfect; at least perfect for me, and I trusted that the whole idea that wearing hearing aids was a significant addition to my life. When we achieved that status he ordered me a pair of " ruby red" hearing aids which turned out to be less Wizard of Oz sparkly shoe color and more muted red. We were initially disappointed but decided that it was a better color to blend in with my hair. BTW, you cannot tell that I am wearing them unless I whip them off to proudly show them to you. I was and am delighted with the attitude and intention of everyone at the Center and the care and kindness that I received. If you need hearing aids or even think that you do, take the plunge as i did and make an appointment to explore the possibilities. The visits are free, including the testing, until you decide to buy the hearing aids. I am sure that you can pay a bit less at other venues but I know that you will not get better care insuring that you have bought just the right hearing aids for your loss and life style and achieved a clear understanding of what is causing your loss, than at The Center for Better Hearing Aids, nor could you work with nicer and more competent people. BRAVO TO GREG AND HIS STAFF, AND TO ME WHO FINALLY BIT THE BULLITT AND CAN HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING ! Barbara Hendrickson read more

I revise my negative review. The billing problem has been resolved Had excellent discussion with owner about new technologies and costs. Would continue going there. Fully trustworthy and deeply knowledgeable read more

Found Center for Better Hearing on internet. On Friday just before Labor Day my right hearing aide would lose sound intermittently. Called for an appointment with the business I had purchased both aides from and was told it would be over two weeks before someone could see me. Contacted Center for Better Hearing and got an appointment with Joanne the following Tuesday. She determined there was a short in the wire attached to the ear mold. Said it would be about 7-10 days turnaround. Sent it in to the manufacturer and received it back nine working days later. Best part, upon getting the mold back and reattaching, Joanne took the time to answer all my questions and did not charge me anything for the whole service process. Doesn't get any better than that, especially in this day and age. Thanks Joanne and CENTER FOR BETTER HEARING. read more