Otorhinolaryngology
Dr. Park Hong-jun-
History
History
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Interview
Interview
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QA
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Interview
Interview
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Interview
Interview
The pain of not being able to hear sounds! Dedication to curing hearing impairments. Dedicated to studying and treating ears for 30 years! Dr. Park Hong-jun, Director of Soree Ear Clinic
Dr. Park Hong-jun, Director of Soree Ear Clinic
Main Area of Practice : Otorhinolaryngology
Education & Career
- Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine/ Otorhinolaryngologist/ M.D.
- Lecturer, Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine
- Professor, Ajou University School of Medicine
- Researcher, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Washington, U.S.
- Researcher, National Institute on Genetic Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Washington, U.S.
- Director, Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery
- The 14th Chairman of Gangnam Medical Association
- Currently, Senior Vice Chairman of Seoul Medical Association
Procedures & Treatments
- Main Area of Practice: Ear (hearing loss, tinnitus, otitis media, dizziness, hearing aid)
- Key Specialized Procedures: Cochlear implantation, otitis media surgery, microtia surgery, hearing rehabilitation implant, dizziness treatment, speech language pathology
- No. of Foreign Patients Treated between 2002 - 2015: 1,748 (79 in 2015)
Interview
“Patients who come to a clinic want the doctor and clinic to be only for 'themselves.’ Soree Ear Clinic wants to be the clinic that is only for every single patient.”
Dr. Park Hong-jun is the Director of Soree Ear Clinic located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu in Seoul. In March 2002, he opened the first hospital in Korea specializing solely in ear diseases. Many people around him opposed his decision to leave his prestigious position as a professor at a university hospital to open a hospital that only treats ears. Nonetheless, Dr. Park had a sense of duty to open a hospital where patients suffering from ear diseases or hearing loss can receive proper treatment more conveniently and swiftly. He was also convinced that Korea needed a special clinic focusing on ear diseases. So, he went ahead with his decision and opened Soree Ear Clinic.
In July of 2002, Soree Ear Clinic succeeded in the first cochlear implantation. At the time, cochlear implantation was not a typical surgery. It was recognized as a surgery that was done only in large university hospitals. The news of Soree Ear Clinic’s successful cochlear implantation brought about an upheaval in the medical circles. What is more special about this accomplishment is that Soree Ear Clinic approached cochlear implantation differently from those performed in university hospitals.
Dr. Park Hong-jun, Director of Soree Ear Clinic, said, “When it comes to cochlear implantation, rehabilitation is most important. We focused on a rehabilitation program, such as post-surgical speech language treatment, and, as a result, could reduce the time for patients to regain hearing and to adapt themselves to society.” Dr. Park’ conviction to unsparingly invest in the introduction of latest medical technologies and rehabilitation treatment in addition to surgery bore fruits. “Visit this hospital and you can hear again.” Patients who received treatment at Soree Ear Clinic gave recommendations to other patients. As word spread, Soree Ear Clinic became widely known across the country.
- World's first discovery of Korean gene responsible for hearing loss
- Korea's first genetic hearing loss counseling/ treatment and tinnitus rehabilitation treatment program
- Korea's first Sophono implant (Dec. 2003) and BoneBridge surgery (Aug. 2014)
- Exceeded 500 cases of cochlear implantations as the first specializing hospital (Aug. 2015)
Dr. Park said, “In the past, there were many pediatric patients suffering from naturally occurring diseases. But, now, as we enter the aging society, the number of senior patients experiencing the problem of hearing loss is increasing. In addition, ear diseases affect people of all ages from infants to the elderly. The causes are also diversifying. Hence, the treatment method must vary according to the patient’s symptoms, age, lifestyle and environment.” Soree Ear Clinic is establishing scientific treatment protocols for various ear diseases and symptoms, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, otitis media and dizziness (Meniere’s disease, otolithiasis, vestibular neuritis).
The reason this hospital has built a research and treatment process is because Dr. Park wants to provide substantial help to patients.“The difficulties experienced by hearing impairment patients are beyond expression. They suffer difficulties in finding jobs and just being normal members of the society because they cannot communicate with others. I want to relieve their pain. Hearing impairment is a wall between people. Soree Ear Clinic will exert the utmost effort as a hospital specializing in helping people who have lost hearing, even if there is only one patient.”said Dr. Park.
[Attachment] Foreign patients Thank-you letters from patients treated at Soree Ear Clinic
1. Mun Gui-nam, Russia - Cochlear implantation
Здравствуйте !
Hello! I am the mother of Mun Gui-nam from Russia. I am writing this letter to thank you for treating my son who suffered from hearing loss.
My son is now in the second year of elementary school. I learned about his condition quite some time ago. It was such a shock to me. The thought that my son might have to live his life with a hearing impairment frightened me. I had been hearing about the advanced medical technology in Korea. After searching everywhere, I was advised to go to Soree Ear Clinic in Korea to recover my son’s hearing ability. I boarded a plane right away with my son.
Dr. Park comforted me by saying, “Your son will be able to hear sounds after he receives a cochlear implant. So, don’t worry.” My son received a cochlear implant on both ears at Soree Ear Clinic. After the surgery, he regained his hearing. Watching him bright and happy, I cried tears of happiness. My son has made many friends and he is doing well at school. Thanks to Soree Ear Clinic, my son can now listen and talk. Thank you.
2. Zheniskul, Kazakhstan - Otitis media
My name is Gauhar, a girl from Kazakhstan. I am writing this letter to thank you for treating my mom (Zheniskul) who was suffering from otitis media. My mom suffered from an ear disease for a long time.
My family looked everywhere for hospitals known to be good at treating ear diseases. Then, we learned about Soree Ear Clinic in Korea. So, we traveled to Korea and met with Dr. Park.
While receiving treatment and examination at the clinic, I felt confident that Dr. Park would cure my mom. The first and the second surgeries went well. After the perfect surgery and treatment, my mom recovered in the best condition. Thank you Dr. Park and Soree Ear Clinic for trying so hard for my mom’s recovery.
3. Altang Gheril, Mongolia - Otitis media
I am Altang Gheril from Mongolia. About 40 years ago, my left eardrum ruptured. Since then, I have been deaf. I also suffered from a ringing sound and severe headaches. I went to hospitals in Mongolia, but they told me that there was no way to treat my symptoms and it put me into despair. Then, an acquaintance of mine introduced me to Soree Ear Clinic in Korea. I was told that Soree Ear Clinic was especially good at ear surgeries and also that her niece had received treatment in the clinic.
So, I came to Soree Ear Clinic and underwent surgery with Dr. Park. I was told that treatment is impossible in Mongolia, but at Soree Ear Clinic, I received a surgery quickly and I can hear so clearly now. They helped me set up the treatment schedule so that I could catch a plane back to Mongolia without difficulty. Soree Ear Clinic helped me regain hearing, confidence and happiness. I will introduce Soree Ear Clinic to other people who are suffering from ear diseases so that they can enjoy happiness as I do.
4. Shanghai, China - Lee Hak-ja
Hello! My name is Lee Hak-ja. I am from China. When I was 12, I picked at my ear, but something went wrong and my ear started to ache and discharge pus. I thought it would heal over time, but it didn’t, even when I became an adult. I lost hearing in the ear and the symptom of ringing worsened. I went to a large hospital in Shanghai and had my ear examined. However, they just told me to live with my one good ear. I felt despaired. I had no one to talk about my pain. Then, an acquaintance of mine who was living in Korea recommended Soree Ear Clinic to me. I immediately flew over to Korea and received treatment from Dr. Park. He told me that there was a big hole in my eardrum. He comforted me by saying that I must have suffered a lot and that I can be cured with surgery. The fact that I found a doctor who understood me alone was such great consolation to me. The surgery went well. Now, I don’t have any of the symptoms in my ear and I can hear well. I am so satisfied with the surgery that I want to invite Dr. Park over to Shanghai and ask him to fix the ears of all my friends. Thank you.
