Tool · Care Navigator

Care Navigator: where to start

Start with a quick urgency check, then choose the option that fits best. You’ll get one recommended next step plus “who to see” and simple visit prep.

About 4–6 minutes Mobile-friendly Next-step recommendation

Start with safety Skip to choices Educational only. If something feels urgent, use the Emergency guide.

Educational only—this can’t diagnose. This page helps you choose a next step and get oriented (not determine what condition you have).

Urgent symptoms today?

If any of these are happening now, start with the Emergency guide.

Sudden hearing drop (hours to days)
Severe vertigo or trouble walking.
New facial weakness or numbness.
Head/ear injury or loud blast.
Severe ear pain with fever or drainage.
New “whooshing” in time with heartbeat.

Do any apply to you right now?

Not sure yet is okay.

If you answer “Yes,” we’ll display an urgent warning and highlight the Emergency guide link below. You can still continue to the chooser either way.

Open Emergency guide Continue to choices

If symptoms are severe (new weakness, trouble speaking, severe pain, you feel very unwell), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Watch video on Canva (opens in new window) ↗

Prefer to read? Video key points & text summary (no audio needed)

Key Takeaways (60-Second Walkthrough):

Step 1 — Safety First: Check if you have sudden hearing loss (within 72 hours), severe vertigo, facial weakness, head/ear trauma, severe ear pain/drainage, or heartbeat-synced pulsing. If yes, open the Emergency Guide immediately.
Step 2 — Pick One Card: Choose the single card that best describes your main concern today (gradual hearing difficulty, having an audiogram, tinnitus, both hearing and tinnitus, dizziness, ear pain/fullness, using hearing devices, or supporting someone as a caregiver).
Step 3 — Review Your Next Steps: Get one primary recommended action, a plain-language list of which clinicians to see (audiologist, ENT, or primary care), and a visit preparation checklist.

Video Transcript (0:00–1:00):

[0:00–0:08] Not sure where to start with a hearing, tinnitus, or balance concern? The UCSF EARS Care Navigator helps you find one clear next step in about five minutes.
[0:08–0:16] First, start with a quick safety check. If you answer "Yes" to sudden hearing loss within 72 hours, severe spinning dizziness, facial weakness, or ear pain, the tool displays an in-page urgent warning and highlights the Emergency Guide link right away.
[0:16–0:25] Next, pick the single card that best matches your situation today—whether that's gradual trouble hearing in noise, understanding a hearing test, tinnitus distress, dizziness, or supporting a loved one.
[0:25–0:35] As soon as you choose, your results panel opens with one primary recommended action, plus clear guidance on which specialist to see—like an audiologist, an ENT doctor, or primary care.
[0:35–0:44] You'll also get a short checklist to prepare for your visit, an expandable guide explaining what eleven different hearing and balance specialists do, and direct links to other tools.
[0:44–0:53] Everything stays private in your browser with no sign-up needed, and you can clear your choice anytime to explore another path. Remember, this tool is for education and navigation, not medical diagnosis.
[0:53–1:00] Scroll down to start with the safety check or pick the card that fits you best right on this page.

Which best describes you right now?

Choose one. You’ll get a recommended next step and alternatives.

Who to see (plain language)

This is general “who does what” guidance (not a referral or diagnosis).

Audiologist: You might see them if you need hearing testing, hearing aid support, tinnitus counseling, or communication strategies.
ENT / Otolaryngologist: You might see them for medical evaluation of ear symptoms, hearing change, infections, drainage, or surgical questions.
Neurotologist / Otologist: You might see them for complex ear/hearing conditions, implants, or specialized inner-ear problems.
Primary care clinician: You might start here for new symptoms, general evaluation, and coordination of next steps.
Urgent care / Emergency: You might go here for sudden hearing change, severe vertigo, neurologic symptoms, serious infection concerns, or injury.
Vestibular physical therapist: You might see them for balance rehabilitation and dizziness management after evaluation.
Neurologist: You might see them if dizziness or neurologic symptoms need further work-up.
Speech-language pathologist: You might see them for communication support, listening strategies, and related therapy needs.
Mental health professional (psychologist/therapist): You might see them for coping skills, stress/anxiety support, and sleep support when symptoms are burdensome.
Psychiatrist: You might see them for medication management when mental health symptoms are significant.
Social worker / care coordinator: You might see them for navigating services, resources, and practical supports.

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About this tool

What this is: a quick next-step guide plus an urgency-first safety prompt.

What this is not: a diagnosis, a substitute for medical evaluation, or a device/procedure eligibility decision.

Why trust EARS?

Built with a clinical mindset: careful wording, practical steps, and clear next actions.
Designed for real life: hearing in noise, listening fatigue, tinnitus stress, and communication breakdowns.
Helps you prepare and communicate with your clinician—without trying to replace them.

Full educational disclaimer

Educational disclaimer: UCSF EARS provides general education and navigation support. It does not diagnose medical conditions, determine urgency with certainty, or determine candidacy for devices or procedures.

If you think you may have an urgent problem (especially sudden hearing change, severe vertigo, new facial weakness, head/ear trauma, or severe ear pain/fever), seek prompt medical evaluation.