How did his staff react?

I'm sorry you had a negative experience. I've never never used or heard of Dr. Goldstein so I can't relate. However, I've been seeing Dr. Willcox at Jefferson ENT 925 Chestnut for years because I had a cholesteatoma when I was younger...which means I need to see an ENT yearly for the rest of my life. He and his staff are great!

DO NOT VISIT THIS OFFICE!!

The original poster had a horrible experience with Steven Goldstein. I had a horrible experience with Dr. James Kearney. Here's what happened to me.

Dr. Kearny was supposed to do the following:

1. Sew the earring hole rips in my ear lobes
2. Put a tiny incision in my ears to alleviate balance issues and to show me what it would be like if I got tubes in my ears.

This has been a NIGHTMARE. In the end, I have to have my left earlobe re-ripped and resewn. The tiny "incision" was placed too low and caused 6 weeks of muffled sound. The REAL problem with my ears turned out to be an issue with TOO MUCH air in my eardrums. Additionally, the "incision" could cause permanent hearing damage.

The reason? A young student that he was talking to the ENTIRE TIME as he was doing these procedures. So this is my story. If you want to believe someone else's glowing review, go ahead. But this is what actually happened to me:


PART I-THE RIPS IN MY EARLOBES

He sewed my earring hole incorrectly on my left side, like two pieces of fabric that are mismatched. It bled the first night and I could see that it was sewn incorrectly. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday -- I called THREE TIMES to let him know that it was sewn wrong, and could he please fix it before it healed. He wouldn't take my calls. He didn't call me back. He had his receptionists respond to me stating that it would "heal fine". I made them take a statement where I detailed exactly how it looked. I offered to send a photo if he was too busy to see me. She said the only thing I could do was come in and wait around to see if someone didn't show up for an appointment but that the Doctor said it would "heal fine".

It didn't heal fine. I called furious a few weeks later and they gave me an immediate appointment with Dr. Goldstein. He confirmed that I'd need to have my left earring hole re-ripped and resewn.

PART II-THE INCISION IN MY EAR

While I was there, I asked Dr. Kearney if there was anything that can be done for the pressure in my ears. He said that I could have tubes put in and that he wanted to make a small incision so that I could "get a feel" for tubes. He made it seem like no big deal and said he could do it that day. I asked him if doing this could possibly cause any permanent damage to my hearing, and he said no.

First of all, without indicating ANYTHING related to pain, balance or muffling, he punctured my ear and this was the most excruciating pain you can imagine. I thought, if the local anesthetic wouldn't suffice, that there might be some "mention" of the pain. There wasn't.

I could barely walk out of the office the sound was so off and my ears were so messed up. He assured me the muffled sound would go away within a few days. 2 weeks passed. I visted him again. He said everything was fine. I made a forced appointment on the third week because I knew everything was NOT fine.

Dr. Goldstein informed me that the incision was made too low and that the sound was bouncing off of a one. He covered my ear drum with a piece of rolling paper to help with the muffling sound. He noticed my eardrums had scars and mentioned it. I told him I'd read online that scars on the eardrum could cause hearing loss and mentioned that Dr. Kearney told me that there was no chance of hearing loss due to the incision. He dodged the issue, but basically indicated that YES, it is possible to have hearing loss due to scaring.
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In the end it turned out that what is wrong with my ears is the OPPOSITE of what tubes do. There is TOO MUCH AIR in my eardrums. Dr. Kearney misdiagnosed me and added a little hole to "Let more air in". Beware if you choose to see him.</b>

If you feel that the doctor has injured you or has wronged you in some way, contact the state medical board and maybe a malpractice attorney.

I go to Jefferson for otolaryngology and found all of their doctors quite competent. I highly recomend Dr. Thomas Willcox there.

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Touch 'em all, Joe! You'll never hit a bigger home run in your life!

P.S. According to city doctors, Dr. Wilcox is the best ENT in Philly. I found that out after my awful experience with Dr. Kearney.

This is sort of off topic, but, I punctured an eardrum when I was a child, and it is most definitely the most excruciating pain I've experienced in my life. I'm talking scream at the top of my lungs pain. Granted I was only 10 but I'll never forget it.

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NUTTER 2007

I thought Dr. Robert T. Sataloff was considered the best ENT in Philly? He is located at 16th and Pine

Yes, we heard that too & in fact my husband is going to see Dr. Sataloff for the first time tomorrow. (He's actually at 17th & Pine. http://www.phillyent.com/)

When our primary care doctor referred us, I think he even said Dr. Sataloff is the best in the country, and in fact treats Rod Stewart's vocal chords!

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Yeah I think he was even featured in Philly Magazine.

My friend's father (who's been featured locally and nationally for his work with cancer) said that Dr. Willcox was the best in the city, but I'm not a pro. Maybe they are really close friends? I have an appt. with Dr. Willcox on Friday. I will post my experiences after I see him.