Marvin Adam, MD

This is my second time seeing Dr. Adam, this time at his San Leandro location. They said they were running behind due to rain, but I wouldn’t have known because I was seen within 10 minutes of showing up! I came concerned about a sinus infection, but he took the opportunity to clean my ears too. Like last time, he was very informative and told me what to expect from each procedure. He showed me the inside of my nose and throat cavity on a video monitor and explained everything that I was seeing to me. This was much more fun and educational than I have come to expect from doctor visits!
Also, I temporarily lost my health insurance, but the receptionist was very accommodating and gave me a special rate to ease the financial burden on me. I really appreciated her understanding and kindness.

Great doc. knows his stuff about the ear nose and throat. go see him if you need expert care.

Amazing doctor and Brenda his right arm is super friendly and nice. Highly recommend Dr Marvin. He knows his stuff!

Dr. Marvin is a kind man. Despite being unable to figure out what is wrong with my ears a problem I have had for 5 years. The recommendation was to learn to live with a mystery liquid (it is not shower water) draining from my ears off and on throughout the day and off and on at night. My ears get clogged up at night if I don’t wake up to drain them. It has ruined the quality of sleep and has ruined my life. My life sucks tremendously because I have this ear problem going on ²⁴⁄₇ and no one can or will help me with it.
The 1 star is due to Brenda the lady that answers the phone. Brenda has a nurse Rachet personality that does not waiver. I have never seen her personality change it is always a nurse Rachet kind of energy she gives off. Every time I have called to get help for an urgent matter the answer is always the same. NO! Today she told me Dr. Adam won’t be in for the rest of the afternoon.
Dr. Adam’s is only in this particular office on Tue and Thurs. Brenda didn’t say to me, hold on let me ask him if he might be able to make an exception since it is urgent, instead as soon as I told her I have an urgent ear matter she told me NO. I don’t have anything available and he is off for the rest of the afternoon.
I told Brenda it seems likes she likes to say no and that every time I call with an urgent matter she always tells me no. She then informed me that I don’t know their office well and that they bend over backwards for patients. Well I have been to that office many times and Brenda has never ever, not even once, bent over backwards to help me when I have an urgent ear problem. Dr. Adam’s has bent over backwards to help me but not Brenda. I can never get in same day when I have an urgent situation. Going to urgent care or my PCP wont help because only Dr. Adam’s knows my ears no one else.
Every single time I needed urgent help I always have to wait 3 – 5 days for an appointment. EVERY SINGEL TIME. The last time this happened I was forced to go to my PCP because Brenda scheduled my urgent appointment 4 days later and I couldn’t wait. REALLY. Then when I show up for the urgent appointment days later Dr. Adam tells me what the PCP did was wrong and told me to stop all the treatments prescribed my my PCP.
I have no one else to turn to for help with my 5 year ear problem but Dr. Adam. Thanks for nothing Brenda. You have never bent over backwards to help me when I have an urgent situation. Dr. Adam’s has bent over backwards to help me but definitely not you. I know I am not the only one who has had this experience with Brenda.

Recently, my elderly mother has had to see a lot of doctors. Dr. Adam was one of them. I was so impressed with Dr. Adam, that I and my daughter went to him, too.
Dr. Adam is amazing! From the moment he shakes your hand and introduces himself to the final good bye, you KNOW he cares.
Firstly, he takes the time to really work with and pay attention to what his patients are telling him. He asks questions. Even though you may not have medical knowledge, Dr. Adam never talks down to you.
Secondly, he takes time to explain everything in great detail, so there is no stone unturned. His explanations make you feel comfortable with whatever procedure he is doing.
And when he doesn’t have an answer or diagnosis because tests are inconclusive, he isn’t too proud to say, «I’m sorry. I don’t have an answer. Unfortunately, we doctors don’t know everything.»
Lastly, he is real. There is none of this «I’m the doctor, you’re the patient» stuff. He’s funny, he jokes, he treats his patients with dignity and respect, yet he maintains the much-​needed professionalism.
He’s a fabulous doctor and we highly recommend him!

This is the most amazing DR. I have every seen. I went to him it see about my allergies and with some shots in the nose (ouch) I got the relief I have tried to get from 5 other DR’s. I have seen him ever since and highly recommend him to any one.

After reading my Unilocal review, Dr. Marvin sent me an article from Rhinology Perspectives called Inferior Turbinate Reduction: An evolving body of evidence to guide surgical choices. It provided an overview of some of the common surgical procedures for turbinate reduction. My favorite line is this: «The selection of the optimal procedure for any given patient remains a clinical challenge and can often be a source of unresolved controversy.» Now, does this sound like solid evidence that turbinate reduction works (whatever method)? I didn’t think so either. I am not sure why he sent it (maybe he thought I wouldn’t read it.)
On a personal note, I took a two vacations recently and every time I am away from home my allergies almost completely disappear (no meds or Kleenex needed). I am highly allergic to oak and live near Oakland so at home my allergies have to be managed. But could you imagine if I had surgery when obviously my nose runs due to oak mainly? It didn’t run in Maui and it didn’t run when I was at the Russian River. Good things to know!
I also made some changes to my diet and eliminated/​reduced wheat, most diary and soy. My allergies improved about 90%. My point remains that each person should do whatever they can to improve allergies without surgery. I think it’s quick money for the surgeon and possibly a lot of suffering for the patient. I don’t think turbinate reduction is the answer for allergies and I don’t care what Rhinology Perspectives has to say. Be your own advocate, identify allergens if you can (see an allergist for testing) and think long and hard about surgery. There is no going back once you take that step.

Phenomenal doctor who’s very friendly as well! I had a festering ear infection and went to Eden Hospital SEVERAL times only to not be helped and given a large bill. On my last visit, they referred me to Dr Marvin Adam, which was they best/​only thing they did. On my first visit to his office (in Oakland) I was greeted by his friendly receptionist and then by him. In his office, he suctioned some fluid, and for the 1^st time in 3 months, I could hear out of my infected ear! He then gave me ear drops as well that definitely did the trick. On my follow up visit to his San Leandro office, he gave me the «thumbs up» on my ear being better and gave me some great tips on continuing keeping my ear (s) clean and healthy. I will HIGHLY suggest him to others!

Best doctor I’ve ever had. I’ve been going to him since I was little and he took over the practice from from my first ENT specialist. I have a genetic disorder that causes my eardrums to peel and they must be routinely cleaned, he is SO gentle!
Also, any time I’ve been sick he’ll suggest different remedies, and work with me whether I want to use antibiotics or not, etc. He really listens.
Great guy!
Always a short wait, if you’re having a real problem they’ll usually try to squeeze you in that day for an appointment. I believe he has reasonable rates also :)

This Man is the next best thing to God. (Sarcasm). He is very good at what he does, he should get inducted into the Specialist Hall of fame. I had a problem with my sinuses, and he assisted me all the way through. He is very honest, and not some Doc trying to open your wallet up before any judgment calls or further procedures. Brenda at the Counter is also a sweetheart. They are both warm hearted individuals who care about the well being of their patients. He also gives you his personal number to contact him after hours if you may have any concerns about anything. Lisa P sat up there complaining about the office set up, rather than her treatment. Another sad person who has nothing useful to mention in this forum regarding positive reviews, and the way he works as a Doctor. I would refer Dr. Marvin to any one who has concerns about their Ear, Nose, and Throat. He’s the best at what he does, you can tell by how much he loves his job.

The best doctor experience I had yet, probably until I see Adam again. He is very friendly and offers detailed explanations of the anatomy and what he is doing. It’s also very comforting to know that he is available by phone when he’s not at the office. I called him and he returned my call within 5 minutes. That’s fantastic! I was also able to schedule an appointment the same day, when other doctors were giving me an appointment 2+ weeks out. I have nothing but good things to say about him.

I have to say Dr. Marvin is the best Doctor I have ever seen and I have seen many. My Internal medicine doctor pointed out at my physical that I had excessive wax build up and told me to use an over the counter product. I did and the next day my hearing started to go. My regular ENT doctor could not see me for three weeks.
I happened to go on line and saw Doctor Marvin and gave it a try. From the moment the receptionist answered the phone I was blown away. I called at 3:00 pm and she said be here by 4:00. I went in filled out your normal paper work and I noticed something I have never seen before Dr. Marvin calls in his patients.
I told him what was going on he asked several questions and boy did I ever get a lesson on ear and nasal anatomy. I told him I have suffered with congestion for 15 years he explained why. Said he can get rid of it really quick.
Turns out all the Doctors including allergist that I have seen have never showed me how to properly use a nasal spray. He did, took the wax out of my ear and amazing I could here again. Gave a very thorough exam told me my options and off I went.
Oh and I also noticed two other patients waiting to see him all because he cared and squeezed me in. I was with him for thirty minutes. From now on he will be the only ENT doctor that will ever touch me. Plus he is a motorcycle guy LOL.
Thank you to Dr. Marvin and his staff you guy’s are number one in my book.
Will Silveria

Once again, I needed Dr. Marvin’s help. I got a same visit appointment when I needed help from the hearing aide man, Greg Boone, whose practice is in the same office. This office is great. They will go out of their way to provide excellent service and they make it such a pleasant experience.

I have no experience with ENT doctors, and found Dr. Marvin on Unilocal because my ear was clogged up and I couldn’t hear. When I made the appointment the receptionist was very friendly and helpful, and I only had to wait a couple of days for my appointment (no rush needed). The office was easy to find with free parking on the street. And books in the waiting room! I actually hoped for a wait so I could check them out, but the wait was very short. Office staff was even more friendly and helpful in person, and Dr. Marvin was great. Friendly, thorough, and not in a rush. He took his time, and took care of my problem. I highly recommend Dr. Marvin, and if the need arises, I will go back to him.

Maybe the best doctor I’ve ever visited. Over the weekend, I developed a brutal cold. Head spinning, difficulty walking, ears in pain, can’t swallow. Ugh. And in a few hours I’m flying to the UK then on to Japan.
I called my family doctor and they said it would be 4 days before they could see me. I found Dr. Marvin on my insurers referral page. Within minutes I had an appointment set for 20 minutes later. And then, after 10 minutes of listening to Dr. Marvin I learned more about the inner ear than I ever learned in school. And better yet, I had my diagnosis and prescriptions in hand. I was really dreading those long back-​to-​back flights with a terrible head cold. Dr. Marvin was superb (and I agree with the other poster — his receptionist is also great). Thank you!

I found Dr. Marvin through googling and was able to get an appointment within 1.5 hours when I called his office. He was able to resolve my «noise in the ear» type of problem by extracting the ear wax. I appreciate his professional attitude and effective way of executing the treatment. I would highly recommend him.