Ted Chung, MD

EDIT: To make everything worse. Just… don’t…
License Number: 12 383 Current Date: 09/​02/​2015 01:09 PM
Name: CHUNG, THEODORE W
License Type: Physician and Surgeon G
License Status: Renewal Pending — Licensee failed to certify compliance with the continuing medical education requirement and/​or failed to certify that he or she disclosed the names of those health-​related facilities in which the licensee and/​or family may have a financial interest. Practice is permitted unless license expires.
Secondary Status: Public Reprimand
Expiration Date: 09/​30/​2014
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -
This is going to be a long review because it contradicts its great ratings
Let me first make this very clear, this is my second time here and I gave (although never published my review) my first experience here in 2012 a full 5 stars. It was amazing. The nurse was extremely nice and took care that I understood exactly what was happening and made me comfortable which Dr. Ted Chung was polite and understanding of my pains and needs.
Fast forward to yesterday to get quite possibly the worst experience I’ve ever had with any doctor. Felt like I had to go see my ex for a present I gave her for her birthday but I wanted it back now kinda experience.
First off, the nurse retired leaving Dr. Chung to handle everything on his own. The places loses a bit of its warmth, but it’s still a nice cozy place. I went in for an ear cleaning because my right ear got infected, he takes one look at it and says the wax is too solid and there’s not much he can do about it because the wax looks too hard. I ask him about the ear washing/​rinsing to help clean some of it out and he straight out just says, «my nurse did that, and she’s not here, so no, I can’t do that.» Okay… He goes on to try to suction it and tweezer the wax out. He literally ripped that wax off my ear like a bandaid in 1 go. Hurt so bad and my ear starting making that popping noise. I was in an even worse condition. He tells me to suck it up for 2 weeks and just put ear drops in it daily so he could clean it out then. Next he offers me ear drops: $ 50 for ear drops or $ 30 for a generic brand. Honestly, I could’ve gotten a cheaper brand at CVS or whatever if that was the case so I told him I was tight on money and I’ll just go. Then he quotes: «If you’re tight on money you can use a cheaper alternative, it’s going to be about $ 18 but if it gets into your inner ear it’ll cause permenant hearing loss».
Okay doctor who’s supposed to fix my ears trying to give me hearing loss. I pass on it. And he offers to give me some pills for free which will help with my infection, which is nice. BUT, as I start to ask about it: what it is, name of the drug, what it does, how to take it, he FLIPS on me. Straight out yells at me saying, «I’m trying to help you!» and then, «take however many you want each day!» Dude. I still have no idea what he gave me, and since I can’t look it up, don’t know the dosage amount, don’t have any real instructions on how much to take, he really didn’t help much.
So I left, feeling crummy from dealing with an angry doctor, and cause my ear seriously hurt now. Couldn’t take it after like 20 minutes so I went to a different doctor and they told me my ear canal was bleeding. Got charged to get yelled at and leave with a bloody ear. Seriously, never again.

I went here today, june 13, 2015 because i had a nasty cough. he checked me out and gave me a prescription. i turned this prescription into a pharmacy, but the pharmacy told me that his license expired! i went home and checked on the california board of medicine website and it was expired… i felt kind of ripped off because i was not able to get my medicine i needed :(, and i already paid him the fee in cash

THE NEW PHONE NUMBER IS: (626) 286‑2703
The phone number listed is not correct, thank you Sweet H. for posting the new number, that is how I was able to reach Dr. Chung.
This is by far the BEST experience I have ever had with any doctor. I was diagnosed with otomycosis and was being treated by another ENT but he went on vacation and I had a flare up. I called the office and Dr. Chung answered the phone — he was personable and gave me suggestions! I have never had a doctor do that, they usually will just tell you to come in. He scheduled me in the same day, checked my ears, confirmed my former diagnosis and used a suction tool to clean out my ears. He told me to use a medication that my other ENT had not suggested and I am due back to see him in 7 days.
Sadly Donna is no longer there so I did not get to meet her. Dr. Chung said that she retired. The doctor is just a one man show now and he is amazing. All the lovely paintings on the walls are his — some of them are massive! Some of them have won awards and you will see why. I enjoyed his company so much I forgot I was there for my ears. I look forward to going in for my follow up.
I will see Dr. Chung for all of my ear issues until he retires. Awesome doctor, highly, highly recommended.

This doctor office’s phone number has changed to (626) 286‑2703.

Unilocalers were right; this place did seem a bit dated like you stepped into a time warp, but the staff and Dr. were fantastic.
Donna, the front desk nurse was super helpful and very cordial and nice about the whole process. I hate it when you step into a dr’s office only to be offended by the rude staff as if you were wasting their time. This is not the case with Dr. Chung’s staff.
I was a bit weirded out by the instruments the Dr had. It totally looks like a mad scientists lab, but with a little explanation and step by step detail of what the Dr was going to do to your ear, nose, or throat, I was at ease and had quite a pleasant experience.
Do come see Dr Chung if you have an ear, nose, or throat problem.

Came here today because my right ear suddenly became clogged for the past few days and I was hearing a ringing noise. I tried hydrogen peroxide like I normally would but nothing helped, not even OTC earwax removers. I thought my ear was infected… When I arrived the assistant was awesome and friendly. The doctor was an older gentlemen but he knows exactly what he is doing and very friendly also. I had my ears flush and I got my hearing back instantly. I was so happy! The final step to the process to suck any remaining water out was a little unpleasant but it was virtually painless. My bill was $ 90 for my first time and $ 50 for follow ups which is priceless to get my hearing back! Also my hearing is so much better than before, maybe I should get a routine cleanup!

this was my second time here after 10 years (fortunately no problems for that long). 2 days ago, my right ear suddenly felt clogged and after struggling with over the counter remedies to no avail, i decided to see the doc.
same old office in a residential area & the doc is older & dressed very casually, like seeing a country doctor in ways. same nurse as 10 years ago, Donna who is always friendly & cheerful.
it all looks old, but they know what they’re doing. the doc examined me 1^st & said both ears had impacted wax. Donna then proceeded to flush my ears, tenaciously & after about 5 flushes each, bits of gunk came out. i was surprised that such a small amount of gunk affected my hearing. when Donna then scoped my ears, she said she could now see my eardrums.
the doc finished by briefly suctioning the remaining water out of my ears.
the consultation & cleaning was $ 90., which i think reasonable. i can hear again!

This is my first time here and I am really glad I looked up Unilocal for an ear, nose, and throat doctor. Dr. Ted Chung’s assistant Donna is a wonderful woman who was very helpful to me from the start. She went the extra mile to schedule me in today so I could see Dr. Chung. And she was very personable and great with providing me some details Dr. Ted Chung’s practice and about taking care of my ears. Dr. Chung has been in practice for 42 years! Simply amazing. Dr. Chung was also friendly and kind. And I felt really comfortable here knowing that I could relax and trust one of my most important organs (my ears) to a professional that has been in practice for 42 years! Total cost for my visit was $ 90, and Donna said that my next visits will be $ 50. After my visit though, I am able to hear much better, and honestly you can’t put a price on your hearing. What a pleasure it is to be able to hear better! Thank you Donna, for making it possible for me to hear better now (scheduling me in) and Thank you Dr. Chung your expertise and kindliness!

Dr. Chung is thoughtful and kind, and the prices here are great.
But the real outstanding gem is his assistant, who is very knowledgeable and will speak to you in depth on the phone, answering any questions you may have — something you just don’t find anymore, and which is truly priceless.

Today was the first time in my life that I ever had to seek an ear doctor. My problem was that excessive ear wax or impaction occured deep down next to my ear drum. It was a very risky procedure and Dr. Chung executed it professionally! I am a chicken when it comes to seeking doctors and Dr. Chung was really nice and humorous about it. He made me and my mother whom I requested to go in with me very comfortable while he was fixing my problem. First, the very beautiful and friendly nurse came to wash my ears out with a HUGE syringe, I WAS TERRIFIED, but it DID NOT HURT AT ALL! It was just pretty soothing actually. I never knew what the feeling of rushed warm water in and out your ear felt like, I was so scared, but it was pretty cool. The ear wax was still stubborn, so Dr. Chung came to the rescue with the vacuum. It was not painful at all, just a little tickly from the air action. Afterwards, I found out that Dr. Chung was also an artist and he had very beautiful paintings of his work hanging all over his wall. It was like a mini getty museum! He’s also very musical as well which I find to be very valuable and rare as a doctor. Not many people I know are musical, artistic and scientific! My right ear was ringing, I couldn’t sleep well at night and it felt really plugged! Dr. Chung is so experienced, if you have this problem or any ear problem, he will be your hero for that! I just hope he doesn’t retire soon! Better hurry! $ 90 per visit, $ 50 following that!

The office is a bit hard to find, sort of hidden among all the residential or apartment community there. Dr. Chung was a bit older than I expected but he was very nice and the staff there were really nice and friendly as well. I think I was the first patient that morning because I was waited for well 10 – 15 minutes or so before someone can greet me after I came into the office and trying to get the front office staff. She said she was cleaning the room and couldn’t hear me. I guess that’s fine since it was early in the morning. She then was talking about ants running in the front office and wonder where they were coming from (I even saw ants on the front desk while I was trying to reach anyone that can give me forms to fill out or sign in, trying to see if anyone in the office, and figuring what I should do in that 10 – 15 minutes) to the Doctor. I though that was a bit unprofessional but then I guess it was early in the morning so I guess it was alright. Overall, I do not mind coming back to the office again, staff are very friendly. Dr. Chung was nice but didn’t talk much or provide much info. either but my problem was fix.

So, I love it when doctors listen to me and take time when I go in for an exam. I had a major allergy attack yesterday and was sneezing for about fifteen hours (like that guy in the Simpsons who couldn’t stop hiccuping.) So I went to this guy. If you are looking for some adventure, and an attentive doctor, go to this guy. His office looks like Bahooka’s, minus the food and booze. It’s ceiling to floor packed with weird paintings of pixies and waterfalls and sailboats. He’s hardcore.
But he listens and diagnosed me with some sort of respiratory infection, when I just thought it was allergies. He even vacuumed my ear out with this radical, creepy device. I almost want to go back every week to try and get him to vacuum my ears. It was like peeling glue off your hand. And the nurse will write you a doctor’s note for work. They still use typewriters, too. Ohyeah.