I rarely write reviews but I must tell this story about EXCEPTIONAL service provided to me by North County Audiology. I had moved to Georgia about 6 months ago and one of my Oticon hearing aids had to be sent for repairs (actually replacement) by a local hearing aid facility. When I got it back the local Dr. said they had lost the original settings. Their attempts at creating new settings were terrible and my hearing experience was suffering pretty badly as a result. I contacted North County Audiology to see if they still had a record of my original settings and could they possibly send them to my local doctor. They reported that they had them but because of the complicated software it was impossible to transfer. As an alternative they offered to have me overnight ship my hearing aid to them, they would immediately program it, and overnight it back to me ... at their expense. It wasn't only the kindness of this gesture alone but all the constant communication with me to confirm it arrived and was immediately reprogrammed, and confirm how & when it was shipped. Kelly Chhun at their office went above and beyond in so many ways to assure that I was taken care of ... including taking his lunch break to go stand in line for a half hour at the post office to assure that this shipment was expedited to me. I can honestly say that I have never had this kind of personalized support from any business that I've ever dealt with in my life. This is especially significant when you consider that I am no longer a customer of theirs. I am about to receive the reprogrammed hearing aid today but even if this experiment fails (which I'm sure it won't), I am indebted to Kelly & Dr. Podlenski for the heart & soul that they put into this effort on my behalf! I would give them 10 stars if I could! read more

Dr. Podleski was not professional at all. Honestly he was one of the biggest pricks I have ever dealt with. The secretary was very nice and helpful however. I will take my business elsewhere and ensure the VA reviews this hack as a provider. To add information. I was scheduled at this location through VES, an independent contractor the VA uses. I was scheduled for an 8:45am appt. I was to the address as per my paperwork from VES. The building number did not match. My paperwork did not have this offices phone number. I google the Dr's name and call, 858-569-6090, there was a voice recording that said their office does not open until 9am and the address was Frost Street. So I called VES and explained my situation, she put me on hold a few minutes, came back and she said talked to the doctors office and their building is hard to find, she said to use the address next door. She stayed on the line while I found the building. She said the secretary was aware of the mix up would be expecting me in a few minutes, which I was there in 2 minutes. I get to the building, take the elevator up, step out and ask the secretary if this was the Audiology place, she said yes. Relieved and happy I found the place, I said I am Ryan, VES just spoke to you. She said yes we can take care of you. Standing right next to me was Dr. Podleski, I recognized him from googling his number and his picture popped up. He asked what time my appointment was, I said 8:45. He immediately said nope, you missed your appointment, we are done with you, you can leave and reschedule, go away and motioned towards the elevator as he turned. I showed him the number I called and asked if it was to his office, he turned and walked away, without responding. Like he was better than this piddly disabled Veteran. Like I said initially, he was a prick. His secretary knew the building was hard to find, I did everything I could by trying to call his office prior to my appointment, when that didn't work, I called VES back. Then this Dr Calls VES and demands they have me take this review down. I explained it was true and accurate and that I would not. VES acknowledged the issues and verified their notes from when I called and what the secretary said. I said I would update it with more info. So Dr. Podleski You might want to edit your response to my review, because I was most certainty in your office and interacted with you directly. Was I late? Yes. Was your attitude called for? No, not at all. And if it was such a big problem, why did the secretary tell VES that i was still ok to come in? read more

A good friend recommended this place because she was especially happy with the service and her hearing aids. (My husband swears by Costco Hearing Center.) Matt, the audiologist, has tested me twice and the second time he said my hearing was about the same as it had been. He said the decision to get a hearing aid was all mine. In fact, I could stop by and try one for a few weeks to see if I liked it. I thought that was a reasonable approach, instead of pushing some devise on me. And there was no charge each time I had the hearing tests. His wonderful office manager, Jan, called and told me my insurance would only cover 60% because they were out-of-network. Since the hearing aid they recommended began at $4200 I thought I had to look elsewhere. Unfortunately! read more

After being in denial for a few years about my diminished hearing ("Dad, why is the TV so loud?") I finally admitted I needed to be evaluated and went looking for a nearby Audiologist. It was due to these Yelp reviews that I decided to start with North County Audiology. And as it turned out, finished there as well. The examination was quickly done with ease and humor, as Dr. Kenneth Podlenski managed to get through what was needed efficiently, but answering all my questions and explaining exactly what was being done every step of the way. To be clear: nothing will return my hearing to what it was naturally before the loss began, but what was done to give me the best hearing possible was close to amazing. I hear birds outside my windows in after putting in my new hearing aids, something I haven't noticed in the last five years or so. These are not the cheap "hearing aids," you sometimes see online, but state of the art, calibrated specifically for me, hearing aids, with all sorts of nifty ability (including turning them up or down as needed from my iPhone) and after having worn them only three days I am sold. I only wish I had visited North County Audiology a few years earlier. read more

My 84 year old father needed new hearing aids and after a bit of research we came across North County Audiology. We were incredibly happy with the attention to my dad. They answered all of our questions and had so much patience with our hard of hearing dad. They expedited his hearing aids and once we received them they took the need time and care to made sure my dad and mom knew how to use them. My dads new hearing aids have changed his life, and ours too. read more

My 99 year old mother lives in an Assisted Living Community in Poway and I and both of my siblings live in No. CA. Although my mother is still extremely engaged with life.....reading books, going on outings and very gregarious, she is in a wheelchair and has very impaired hearing. To go anywhere, she needs to be in a wheelchair accessible van so between her special transportation needs and not having any family in San Diego who is familiar with that area, the logistics for my family to try extremely to take care of something simple like her hearing aid not working properly can be extremely challenging! = I called several audiology places trying to get some help and when I found Kelly at No. County Audiology I feel like I won the lottery! When I explained that my Mom was having trouble hearing us on the phone and we hadn't been able to speak to her in weeks he immediately suggested that all he needed was a friend to bring in the hearing aid and my Mom didn't even need to come in which solved the transportation issue. He said there was a chance he could fix it right on the spot for $25 but if he had to send it out he explained all those options and prices to me. He was so committed and patient in explaining everything to me so I understood all the options I couldn't believe how lucky I was to find someone to help me. I did have a friend bring in the hearing aid and it turns out Kelly was able to clean it, repair it and test it to make sure it worked perfectly in just a few minutes while my friend waited and even gave her case for it! I would give Kelly 10 stars if I could because it's so rare to find anyone anywhere who cares enough to provide REAL customer service. Kelly, you are a gem and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! read more

I came to him with the idea of getting a very high end implant type of hearing solution. After a lengthy consult, he recommended a type that was less expensive that he felt would be a better fit for my lifestyle. I now have bluetooth aids, my phone audio goes directly into my ears- ALSO Pandora, etc. I can adjust them individually using an app also. If you need them it makes sense to take advantage of the best available technology. Now I can slip them off, jump in the ocean or pool, dry off and pop them back in and conversations are MUCH easier. Ken could not have been nicer or more focused on a great outcome for me. Hence the 5 stars. read more

I have been very impressed with Dr, Podlenski. He is very thorough, effective and helpul and has openend up a better world of sound for me. I would recommend him to anyone They recently no longer work with Workers Comp cases, which is disappointing. Adela read more

I am very, very happy I met with and purchased hearing aids from Dr. Podlenski. These are my first set and I am still amazed every time I put them on just how much of a difference they've made for me - well beyond my expectations! I've needed to do this for several years and recently decided to investigate what aids would be like. I went to Podlenski with a pre-concieved idea of what I wanted and after testing he advised me to try something different that would be better for my moderate loss situation. Even though my loss was "moderate", it impacted me a great deal and I lived with constant Tinnitus. I tried a pair of Oticon Intiga 10s and I've just been delighted. Not only can i hear speech, TV, movies and ordinary day to day sounds so much better, they are so comfortable that I often forget I have them on. They are so small few people notice I am wearing them - even close friends have not noticed until I pointed them out (I like to show them to my techie friends). I've even been in several very challenging situations, including a holiday party with a large crowd and a super loud DJ. There is no way that "pre-aids" I could have carried on conversations in these settings, but I found I could carry on a conversation just fine. They have also helped me immensely in working with people with accents and picking up small subtleties in speech (important to what I do). A major bonus is that I perceive my Tinnitus much less than without aids and I have often gone whole days at a time without noticing it (this would almost have been worth it by itself, even if my hearing did not improve as much). And if you have not given aids a try, what are you waiting for? I wish I had done it sooner. The technology and options available today are incredible and even my kids think its cool that I now have "bionic hearing" (that, and they are thankful I don't have to crank up the TV so loud). Overall, I recommend that you visit Dr. Podlenski. He made my entire experience in transiting to hearing aids just wonderful and I don't think you can find a more caring and competent professional. read more

Purchased a hearing aid from them over a year ago and whenever I have issues with it, they are able to target the issue quickly. The staff is also super helpful and kind. read more

I love coming to this office! They have early appointments which makes it easy for me to be able to go and still make it to work in time. Being hearing impaired it is hard for me to hear on the phone so we only communicate through email! Which is a big help! Michelle Smith the office manger is amazing she always gets back to me immediately every time. She is also supper sweet and takes care of ordering all of my parts etc. for my hearing aides from the company that I order my hearing aides from even though I did not buy my hearing aides from this office. The office is also in a beautiful building and had a court yard in the middle of the building. All in all you should check out this office if you are looking for really awesome people to help you with your hearing aid needs! read more

I found out about NCA when he shared the office with the optometrist I go to, since then he's moved. I met Dr. Podlenski during one of my eye exams and inquired about a hearing exam for my grandma. He was really informative and helped me understand the process. I later called to make and appointment and the lady who picked up was so friendly and helpful. I brought my grandma in for the appointment and it was pleasant. Dr. Ken took his time explaining the different hearing aids and never tried to "up sale" us. I am naturally curious so I had a million questions, Dr. Ken took time answering everything..I was impressed. By the time we left, my grandma could hear so well and she was very happy. She did not realize what she had been missing out on. I even made an appointment for myself to be fit for musician plugs! I definitely recommend coming to Dr. Ken, he does a great job, he's super friendly an very attentive. read more

The tech who answered the phone when I called was great, then when I got there he was even better because while I had a complementary cup of coffee, he fixed my fathers hearing aide and showed me how I could do it myself in the future. That will save me a drive from Ramona, and help me be a better son in law. This place is great, the detail they go to to be "the best" is why they are, the best. Ive been self employed over 40 yrs. dealing with people, I know real service when I see it. Thats my direct experience and I doubt anyone at this place will knowingly do less then the best. read more

I brought my 90 year old mom in to discuss hearing options after her medical group tested her hearing and determined that she had a significant loss. Dr. P was extremely patient and kind dealing with my mom, She really enjoyed the meeting and felt like she was in good hands. He demonstrates a good understaning of the technical as well as social issues of hearing loss. He offered her various options, but not in a way that overwhelmed her, and gave her an opportunity to test the product to see how it would work for her. We are looking at having her hearing aids within a week of our initial visit. Great service and a caring environment. read more

Dr. Kenneth Podlenski is such a skillful, nice, and patient doctor and we like him very much!

I visited to get impressions med for in-ear monitors. I had this done once before and this was MUCH better. Jeffrey is a real stickler and very precise. My implants look great. Highly recommended. read more

This is an incredibly great place. I got a great hearing aid for an incredible price and it has me hearing everything. I love it. Thanks so much. Daniel Speer read more

SHORT VERSION: Unprofessional treatment of a new client, don't go here unless you have loads of free time to spend in the waiting area and insist on incompetent staff and scheduling of appointments. LONG VERSION: I needed a hearing exam and after reading the handful of solid reviews on yelp I decided to call and book an appointment at north county audiology. It is a 30 minute drive one way for me but nonetheless I felt good about choosing NCA. I called to book my appointment with the receptionist and we confirmed she ended our conversation with "see you next week at 2pm." Fast-forward to 2pm today. I walk into the office and am told to wait, which naturally I do. 5 minutes goes by, 10 minutes goes by, 15 minutes later the receptionist comes out and tells me I need to fill out a form (no apologies for my wait btw). I fill out the form, another 15 minutes goes by with nothing. Finally another receptionist comes out at 2:25pm to ask for my insurance card (still no apology for the wait). After furnishing her the card, she spends the next 5-7 minutes on the phone with my insurance company to confirm my eligibility for benefits (it's clear she doesn't have much experience in this area). She then informs me that I have to pay out of pocket, haven't met deductible, yada-yada-yada... I agree and then she tells me "Let me see if the Dr. still has time to perform the hearing test..." Excuse me? She informs me that they tried to contact me a day earlier to confirm my appointment but the number was not valid. I ask her which number, to which she replies "I don't know, we deleted it". Unprofessional vibe is solidified. Apparently since they couldn't reach me on the now-deleted number, they just decided to assume I am not coming. Remember the part about me BOOKING THE APPOINTMENT??? That IS my confirmation, if you want to call me to remind me that is fine but that's all it is, a reminder. After going in the back room for yet another few minutes, she returns (receptionist, not the Dr. himself which would have been more appropriate in this scenario) to tell me "I'm sorry, we're going to have to reschedule, there's not enough time to do a hearing test." At this point, I am fed up. I drove 30 minutes out here, waited another 35 in the waiting room and now you tell me I should come back another day??? CONCLUSION: Totally unprofessional way to treat a new client (any client for that matter). Even given all the mishaps, it could have been salvaged by the Dr. himself coming out and personally apologizing for their screw-up in scheduling but apparently he couldn't be bothered. While I can't speak for his competence as an audiologist, I can speak for his staff's (in)competence and lack of professionalism in this office. read more

This was my first visit to an audiologist, so I didn't know what to expect. Dr. Podlenski was kind, thorough, and quite knowledgeable. He answered all my questions completely and gave me all the time I needed in order to feel comfortable with my first hearing aid. read more