In my experience Dr. Rabaja was more interested in displaying his knowledge even when it was beside the point, than with actually helping me get to the bottom of my hearing problems. Four months after my initial visit and two months after developing the tell-tale signs of autoimmune inner ear disease (asymmetrical bilateral hearing loss occurring over weeks (not days or years)) I was finally diagnosed by another doctor. True, Dr. Rabaja did refer me to this other doctor, but he did so in such a way that It seemed more like he was more washing his hands of me than actually trying to help me get into see the specialist.. Looking back it would have been great if he had contacted the specialist himself and made it clear to them that I had a serious problem that required urgent treatment (autoimmune inner ear disease is one of the only inner ear disorders that responds to medication -- as long as it is administered in a timely fashion, which it wasn't in my case.) When I called the specialist, they only gave me an appointment 2 months out because I was a new patient. When I finally started taking the medication it only improved my good ear -- the one the had suffered more mild, recent damage. It was too late for my bad ear, which had been completely normal 4 months prior but was left with severe to profound hearing loss in all frequencies above 750hz.

In all fairness, I could have contacted Dr. Rabaja and begged him to intercede for me, but I didn't, first because I didn't realize really how crucial it was to be seen ASAP and second because I had already developed a distaste for Dr. Rabaja. I found his arrogance and repeated down-playing of my symptoms strsssful and annoying. He had originally diagnosed me with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and prescribe a corticosteroid (so far so good). However after initially responding to the medication, my hearing continued to deteriorate. I knew this because I had been testing myself at home every day and I could see it slipping. When I was retested after the medication, the deterioration showed up on the hearing test (5 to 10 decibels less in the frequencies concerned. Also, my speech discrimination score deteriorated slightly.) I was really upset to see him write "No Change" on my results, he explained that 5-10 decibels is all within the margin or error. Yeah, I get what margin of error is, but I told him I knew my hearing was getting worse as I was testing it every day. But he stuck to his guns and kept "no change" on my chart. A week or so later, when my hearing was still deteriorating, I started worrying that I had an acoustic neuroma (particularly since I though I was experiencing balance problems as well). He did agree to recommend an MRI for me. I was so worried that I got the results myself from the imaging center as soon as they were available. They were completely normal, which was great, but I still had the mystery of the rapidly progressing hearing loss I was trying to solve.

When I went in for the follow-up my main concern was diagnosis, not the detailed explanation of completely normal results. I told him several times during the consultation that I had already gotten the images and the write-up and knew that everything was normal. He totally disregarded me and spent about 10-15 minutes (essentially our entire time) slowly lecturing me on every part of my brain visible on the image and how normal it was. Absolutely inappropriate and besides the point. Looking back, it seems that he thought I was some kind of hypochondriac that needed lots and lots of reassurance. Absolutely and totally false. I was someone with a rare and frightening inner ear disease who was trying to get real answers as fast as I could. After the long and pointless lecture about the utter normality of my brain, I asked him what could be cussing the continued deterioration in my hearing. He said he didn't know, seemed unconcerned and even suggested that my hearing wasn't really deteriorating anyway. At least he didn't actually come out and say "it's all in your head you high-strung little lady" but that's what it felt like. He also didn't even bother to have me take another hearing test.

Submitted Aug. 5, 2017

Not happy with his treatments results and his lack of interest in finding out what was wrong with me. The first time I went to him was in 2006/2007 and I had to look for a 2nd opinion and it was the best thing I did. The new Doctor found what was wrong and done deal. In Nov. 2014 my primary Doctor recommended him to me and I decided to give him another try. Well, same thing happen, lack of interest, just focus on one thing and doesn't make the effort to find out what is wrong. I went to another ENT and immediately he found what was wrong and the remedy for it.

Submitted Aug. 12, 2015

My son has raeally bad allergies and dr. Rabaja still has not given my son something that works...i feel like hes guessing everytime we go. Very nice dr. Personable but is not helping my son. Ive changed doctors.

Submitted April 8, 2015

Very nice doctor. I felt like he really listened and was not in a hurry. Takes time to explain things clearly and is very patient-focused.

Submitted June 20, 2014

Dr Rabaja is an excellent doctor. I had a rhino/septoplasty done 7 years ago and I have no complainants. After my surgery he opened his office doors just for me early on a Saturday morning to remove my stints so I didn't have to wait (in pain) the entire weekend. He is so thoughtful! I go back from time to time for minor sinus issues but that's it. He is extremely personable and will spend time to ensure you understand everything and all of your questions are asked! I am taking my son to him since he was 20 months.

Submitted June 3, 2014

I had Septoplasty surgery performed from Dr Rabaja for a deviated septum. Breathed better for about a year, but back to alomst not being able to creathe through my nose at all. Went back, had a Nasal endoscopy, & his findings were that I had Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy, but that I was not allergic to anything that his testing could find. No sprays, or anything he did helped. All I did was spend an ASTRONOMICAL amount of money and time, going back and forth to his office with absolutely NO RESULTS; no fix, no treatment worked. If I kept taking my car somewhere, with no results, would I keep taking it back there?? I'd be a moron if I did. I have come to this conclustion; he is a quack, or a racketeer who wants you to make 10+ office visits so that he gets the most $$$ he can possibly get from you, PERIOD. If you enjoy throwing your hard earned money out the window, then by all means, go see Dr Rabaja.

Submitted April 15, 2014

Dr Rabaja is a wonderful doctor. Very personable and accurate in his diagnoses. My issue is with his office's billing practices. Since they do not get enough money on the office visit alone (BC allows only $72 per visit), he bills $80 for "surgery" which means looking in your ear, nose or throat with a simple light and/or mirror. That used to be part of the office visit. Not any more! Just because it's legal to charge extra, doesn't mean you should. Ask up front how much the visit will cost (including looking at your E/N/T for an additional "surgery" charge)!

Submitted Sept. 25, 2013

Great doctor. His diagnosis and treatment has ridded me of years' of chest pains. I have never had such professional and caring treatment from a physician. Too bad I'm cured because I want to return for more visits.

Submitted May 22, 2012

Extremely personable, knowledgeable, and informative. Dr Rabaja fully explained everything that was going on with my condition and his corrective treatment. I'm 61 and would not hessitate to recommend him to others.

Submitted June 19, 2009

Very happy to be given "options" not just surgery. Will go back.

Submitted Feb. 27, 2009