When a child is diagnosed with hearing loss, parents are often flooded with questions, fears, and uncertainty. In this heartfelt and empowering episode, Dr. Elana welcomes pediatric audiologist and DHH (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) advocate, Dr. Michelle Hu, to share both her personal and professional experience in the DHH world. Born with progressive hearing loss, Michelle shares what it was like growing up with hearing aids, her journey into audiology, and how she now supports parents facing the same diagnosis with their own children.
Dr. Michelle breaks down what DHH really means, clarifies misconceptions, and offers guidance for how hearing parents can raise strong, confident DHH children. This conversation also highlights the importance of language access, how to advocate for your child, and what support systems can look like.
Whether you’re part of the DHH community or simply want to be a more inclusive and informed parent, this episode is a must-listen.
Topics Covered in This Episode
What DHH means and the range of hearing loss
How to support parents and children after a hearing loss diagnosis
Common misconceptions and what not to say to DHH families
How Dr. Michelle's own hearing journey shaped her motherhood and career
Tools, technology, and communication strategies for DHH families
Show Notes:
Michelle Hu has been a pediatric audiologist for over 13 years working specifically with the diagnosis, hearing amplification, cochlear implant evaluation, programming and aural rehabilitation. Something unique about her is that she grew up hard of hearing herself. She was fit with hearing aids at 3 years and now utilizes bilateral cochlear implants.
Her personal experience lends to her uncanny ability to relate and be a role model for others with hearing loss and source of strength and hope for parents of children with hearing loss. She is the founder of Mama Hu Hears, a space for DHH individuals and their families. She shares both personal and professional information to help raise DHH awareness, empower hearing parents raise strong and confident DHH children and improve advocacy skills.
You can find her most active on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mama.hu.hears/, on Facebook community https://www.facebook.com/mamahuhears or website: www.mamahuhears.com
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