Henry Ou, MD, MA
Although I am a surgeon, I recognize that surgery is a frightening prospect for any child and their family. I enjoy working closely with families to develop a treatment plan that works well for their child. I believe that surgery should always be one of the last resorts when we consider treatment options. While I enjoy treating many aspects of pediatric otolaryngology, I am particularly passionate about children with hearing loss and hope to develop ways to prevent hearing loss.
Biography
Henry Ou is an associate professor of pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Washington, having joined the faculty in 2006. He did his residency training at the University of Washington, followed by pediatric otolaryngology fellowship training at Seattle Children's Hospital, and is currently the director of the Seattle Children's Hospital Hearing Loss Clinic. Dr. Ou has over 15 years of experience in hearing research, with a particular emphasis on the use of the zebrafish to study drug-induced hearing loss. He is currently the fellowship director for the pediatric otolaryngology fellowship.
Current CV
Overview
Undergraduate Education: Cornell University, 1989-1993
Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 1993-1998
Internship: University of Washington - General Surgery, 1998-1999
Residency: University of Washington - Otolaryngology-HNS, 1999-2004
Fellowship: Seattle Children's Hospital - Pediatric Otolaryngology-HNS, 2004-2006
Board Certification: Otolaryngology-HNS, 2005; Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology - 2021.
Memberships: Fellow, American College of Surgeons; Member, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology; Member, American Academy of Otolaryngology-HNS; Member, Association for Research in Otolaryngology; Member, Northwest Academy of Otolaryngology
Specialties
Awards and Honors
2022: Recipient of University of Washington Otolaryngology-HNS Driftwood Award for contributions to the residency program
2021: Recipient of Seattle Children's Hospital Family Choice Award
2017: Recipient of Seattle Children's Hospital MVP Award
2017: Fellowship Director, Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship - Seattle Children's Hospital/University of Washington
2014: Advising Medical Physician, State of Washington Board of Hearing and Speech, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee
2013: Director of Hearing Loss Clinic, Seattle Children's Hospital
2013: Associate Fellowship Director, Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship - Seattle Children's Hospital/University of Washington
2008: William Potsic Basic Science Research Award, 1st Prize, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (Mentor of Resident: Lynn Chiu)
2007: University of Washington School of Medicine, Marian E. Smith Junior Faculty Research Award
Clinical Interests
Dr. Ou's clinical interests include most aspects of pediatric otolaryngology (e.g. tonsils/adenoids management, neck masses, pediatric airway), with a subspecialty focus on pediatric hearing loss, chronic ear disease, cholesteatoma and other middle ear surgery, and cochlear implantation.
Recent Publications
Research Areas
Research Focus
Dr. Ou's research focuses on the use of the zebrafish lateral line to study mechanisms of drug-induced hearing loss. He also works on the identification and development of drugs to prevent hearing loss. He is involved in clinical research involving the use of teletherapy to address language disparities in deaf and hard of hearing children, and is investigating balance disorders in children treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.