Jennifer Maw, M.D.

Dr. Maw is the owner and founder of EARS Inc. She practices exclusively Otology/Neurotology and is board certified in Otolaryngology in the United States and Canada. She has been practicing in San Jose since 1998 and has owned her private practice since 2000. She is an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at Stanford University and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Her practice is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of ear disorders, including hearing loss, balance, and facial nerve disorders. She is highly skilled in acoustic neuroma surgery, cochlear implantation, stapedotomy, and vestibular surgery.

Dr. Maw is a member of multiple professional associations and committees, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology, the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Neurotology Society. She has participated as an investigating surgeon in the FDA clinical trial of implantable hearing devices and is a leader in her field. She has served as a surgical consultant in Otology-Neurotology and Skull-Base Surgery at Kaiser Santa Clara and Kaiser Fremont Centers. Her current research interests lie in tissue adhesives and bone cements in otologic surgery. She speaks frequently—locally and internationally—about issues related to hearing, innovations, and research.

Steven Dear, M.D.

Team member since: 2009

Dr. Dear trained at Wilford Hall Medical Center and retired as a full Colonel from the United States Air Force and was the Assistant Command Surgeon and a Flight Surgeon in the Air Force Reserve. He has 41 years of experience in Otolaryngology, has run a successful private practice in Sunnyvale and has held appointments as a Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford in otolaryngology and as a Clinical Instructor in allergy.

Dr. Dear has specialized in the medical evaluation and treatment of hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and balance disorders for over 12 years. He previously established a balance center and developed a tinnitus treatment program. At Ear Associates and Rehabilitation Services, he focuses on patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and vestibular problems.

Behrouz Farsi, PA-C

Behrouz Farsi grew-up in northern California, graduated with a bachelors of science in the biological sciences from UC Davis before working as a public health specialist and then a clinical research scientist at the National Institutes of Health. He graduated as a physician assistant from the Yale School of Medicine in 1999. He has worked in the fields of GI medicine and surgery as well as oncology and has returned to practice otology and ENT with Dr. Maw after serving the practice for 2 years. He brings to the practice a love of the healing arts, compassion, as well as the desire to connect with and provide superlative service to his patients. He is married, has a son and loves to travel as well as explore/experience the arts, the outdoors and good food. Please feel free to contact him with your thoughts and questions.

Sarika Patil, Au.D.

Dr. Sarika Patil has been with Ears Inc. since 2004 and is the Director of Audiology. She has 13 years of experience in diagnostic audiology and hearing aid technology. She has subspecialty training in cochlear implant technology and has expertise in programming all 3 manufacturers of cochlear implants that are currently available. Sarika is a co-investigator of research on the Med El Vibrant Soundbridge at EARS Inc.

Liezel Caliva, Hearing Aid Dispenser

Liezel is a South Bay Area native, who joined our team in 2007. Her passion for science led her to attend the University of California, Davis, where she earned her degree in psychobiology. Liezel started off as the front-office manager and has since received her license with the California State Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau.  Liezel has an extensive understanding of hearing loss, hearing aids and their repair. She is fluent in Ilocano. During her free time, Liezel enjoys playing sports, cooking and traveling.

Ruchi Ahuja, Au.D.

Dr. Ruchi Ahuja is a licensed Audiologist and a Hearing Aid Dispenser with over nine years of professional experience in the field of Speech and Hearing. She has an extensive background in working with adult and pediatric patients with a myriad of hearing and audiological conditions. She is an expert in the latest hearing aid technologies from leading manufacturers and performs diagnostic assessments including electrophysiological testing. As an Audiologist, she believes in providing unparalleled service to allow her patients to truly enjoy the gift of hearing. She recently completed her Doctorate in Audiology from Salus University (Elkins Park, PA). Ruchi also has a Masters in Audiology from the prestigious University College, London and a Bachelors degree in Speech and Hearing from the well-known All India Institute of Speech and Hearing.

Prior to joining EARS Inc, Ruchi worked at several hearing aid practices and ENT clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. In addition to her professional experience in the US, Ruchi has worked in multiple international locations including the UK, the Middle East and India.

Natalie Schmitt, Au.D.

Dr. Natalie Schmitt was born and raised in Southern Indiana and is a graduate of Purdue University. She moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1995 to conduct her clinical fellowship year. Spanning her 15 year licensed career, she was an Audiologist for Kaiser Permanente for 10 years and a Clinical Specialist for Advanced Bionics for 3 years before joining the team at EARS, Inc. in 2008. Natalie’s specialty and passion is in the area of Cochlear Implants where she evaluates and treats those with profound hearing loss. With over 15 years of experience in hearing aid dispensing, she is highly skilled in state-of-the-art hearing aid technology from multiple manufacturers and believes strongly in an evidence-based practice to ensure patients get an accurate hearing aid fitting. Natalie is a member of multiple professional associations and conducts community outreach events locally to educate the public on the impact of hearing loss. In her spare time, Natalie is an avid snowboarder and enjoys outings with her husband and her newborn son.

Cynthia J. Drotar, OTRL

Cynthia is an occupational therapist who has been working in the sub-specialty area of vestibular and balance therapy for 9 years. She runs the Vestibular and Balance therapy program at EARS Inc and focuses on returning patients to balance health as quickly as possible after inner ear or other balance problems occur. She also has extensive experience in hospital, outpatient, nursing home and home health settings and performs fall prevention analysis for seniors and others at risk for falling.

She graduated from San Jose State University Occupational Therapy program with honors and attends regular conferences and training sessions to keep up with current balance therapy practices. Cynthia won’t let you (fall) down.

Jacqui Garcia, Billing Manager

Jacqui is in charge of billing and collections and has worked for Dr. Maw since 1999. She is a native of Santa Clara County and attended Los Gatos High School. She then followed her mother's career path into the medical field. Jacqui has over 20 years experience in medical billing. She is very family oriented and cherishes her time spent with her husband, two children and extended family. She is a wonderful cook and loves to entertain family and friends at her home.

Carolyn Mewaldt, Billing Assistant

Carolyn is a data entry and billing specialist who joined EARS Inc. in 2007. She studied Medical Billing at Deanza college an has been in the field for over 10 years. She is an animal lover and an expert baker and serves as the official birthday-cake-maker at EARS Inc.

Sandy Garcia, Scheduling Coordinator /Front Office Reception

Sandy has worked at Ear Associates for almost 6 years. She is our scheduling coordinator, HMO and medical records coordinator and a front office receptionist. Sandy is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Vadie Giangreco, Front Office Receptionist

Vadie joined our team in 2010 as a front office receptionist. She has worked in the healthcare field for 4 years and hopes to study nursing. Vadie has a background in American Sign Language.

Angelica Jimenez, Medical Assistant

Angelica Jimenez joined Dr. Maw’s office in April 2006 as a Certified Medical Assistant. She graduated from I.B.T. in Santa Clara, CA as a certified medical assistant and from Lawton School in San Jose as a certified phlebotomist. Angelica is also certified in industrial audiometry and an active member of the California Hispanic American Medical Association (CHAMA). Angelica is bilingual in English and Spanish. She schedules surgical procedures, requests authorizations for surgery and back office procedures.