Aside from the moral obligation to help those in need across the world, how does going on humanitarian trips help patients back in Tucson?
Dr. Huch says humanitarian trips have helped her figure out things on the fly back here in the office.
She says problem solving while abroad helps make her a better audiologist, and gives her the ability to be more creative and thoughtful about solutions.
“Being challenged and being forced to work in other environments has helped me keep things in perspective and be prepared to face whatever life throws my way,” Dr. Huch says.
“However, I do like my air conditioning.”
On her last trip to Zambia, she worked in a school which has 1,200 students. At the end of the day there were still children left to test and only three spaces with electricity. There was only enough power to run the computers and equipment but none for the lights.
Judy and the other audiologists had to make do by taking turns using their cell phones as flashlights. In this case there wasn’t the option to wait for tomorrow since they needed to travel to another location the next day.
There are times in Oro Valley when the electricity goes out. Instead of closing, Dr. Huch is able to figure out a way to still see her patients.
She can still program and can test with the KuduWave, which is a portable testing system.
It’s okay to push through when we’re uncomfortable and figure out solutions when it gets tough.
In early October, Dr. Huch was on the road again to assist Syrian refugees with hearing loss.
You can follow her travels and get updates here on our website as well as on Facebook.
