“We really wanted to set this program up so that parents can take care of themselves, feel confident and know that you still get to make whatever choices that are best for you and your family. It’s not the doctors telling you what to do. I’m giving you all of the knowledge, resources, so that you can find what best fits your family and your child’s personality so that they can thrive….” – Michelle Hu

Read the full transcript here

As a young child, Dr. Michelle Hu was diagnosed with Pendred Syndrome. By the time that she was 10 years old, she was audiologically deemed a cochlear implant candidate. Currently, she is a pediatric audiologist, a cochlear implant user and a mom of two. Dr. Michelle is the creator of the Mama.Hu.Hears account on Instagram, and a parent program launching soon. 

This week on the All About Audiology podcast:  

3:00 – Dr. Michelle’s story  

Since Dr. Michelle’s husband’s test results for determining whether he carried a recessive gene of Pendred syndrome came back negative, all of her children are not at risk to be diagnosed with such a condition. Some may find it important to do DNA testing to gauge how genes may affect one’s offspring. 

9:45 – Becoming a cochlear implant candidate

While being in a hearing booth, just initially for educational purposes, Dr. Michelle realized the impact that technology can play in helping her to hear better. This made her realize that: professionals need to honor the patient side of themselves and need to take care of themselves first so that they have enough energy to then help their patients.

16:45 – Dr. Michelle’s Instagram page

Many of her patients were asking her a lot of questions, and she wanted a place to share all of her information. Thus, she created @mama.hu.hears. Individuals can use social media for networking purposes and to share their expertises.  

30:45 – Dr. Michelle shares a story from her practice

She once saw a teenage patient who did not want to continue using her cochlear implants and found it hard to connect to the perspective of this patients’ mother. Professionals can provide their best practice, but ultimately patients need to do what is best for their own selves.

35:00 – Dr. Michelle’s Accommodations

Before becoming a pediatric audiologist, Michelle went to culinary school. She advocated for herself to get accommodations throughout the course.. Students should not feel uncomfortable to request accommodations but need to make sure that such requests are in their best interest.

To support the All About Audiology podcast, visit our Patreon website here: https://www.patreon.com/allaboutaudiology

Email Dr. Michelle at: drmichellehu@gmail.com

Listen Next/Related Episodes

Episode 25: Do Cochlear Implants Work? with Dr. Lindsay Cockburn

Episode 26: All About You with Samantha McKinney