Dr. James Gaul, MD

I was very nervous to come to my appointment because within the last year, I have had a few male doctors treat me as if I was lying about issues I was experiencing or too stupid to understand them. I knew my issue was not severe but it was still bothering me and affecting my quality of life. Dr. Gaul took me seriously, had a hearing test done, and even though the tests came back normal he said "nobody knows your ears and hearing better than you." That was the most relieving thing he could have said. He prescribed me a nasal spray and scheduled a follow up appointment. Although my issue is small and tests did not reflect my experience, Dr. Gaul made me feel validated and heard. That was huge for me.

He misdiagnosed me with acid-reflux and suggested I take medicine for that AND the pain narcotic, Tramadol to reduce the cough. What I actually had was a chest infection that has finally disappeared with antibiotics. I went to see Dr. Gaul after four weeks of a terrible chest-cough that was not helped with antihistamines (suggested by other doctors). I was in his office for a looong visit - most of the time was spent with him trying to numb my nose enough to conduct an uncomfortable procedure. He gave me drops and left the room alone without warning me that I would feel like I was chocking because my throat would numb and not be able to swallow. It was terrifying. Ultimately, he diagnosed me with acid reflux (with no other symptoms) and prescribed heavy meds without first considering the infection.

Awesome bedside manner. Very competent and fixed my hearing.

U

Worst experience ever. Had sinuplasty, bled like a stuck hog, had to call the ambulance that night to get me to the ER. Terrible customer service phone support. And of course it's the only ENT on the Eastern Shore. UPDATE 10/18: If you do balloon sinuplasty here, DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK! I had it done in January 2018, and have been absolutely miserable ever since. And do you know what these guys do if it doesn't work: Oh gee, sorry about that, there's nothing else we can do. IF ANYONE IS CONSIDE

Nice guy and staff. Service, not so. I went in with an issue with my sense of smell. He ran off a list of symptoms I never experienced, and I told him this. He looked at my sinus cavity and ran off some observations to the nurse and recommended treatment for the same symptoms I just told him I never experienced. I ran the course of treatment and came back with the same issue. I explained this to him, and he suggested I try more of the same treatment and to see what God could do. And sent a bill.