Professor TONG Chi Fai Michael

Professor Tong, a clinical professor of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, as well as the Director of the Institute of Human Communicative Research at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, is specialized in the fields of otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery. He was the chief of the Division of Otorhinolaryngology of the Department of Surgery from 2003 to 2007, the Head of Academic Divisions of the Department from 2007 to 2015, and the Chairman of the Department from 2015 to 2024. 

Recently, Professor Tong has been pioneering the development of advanced endoscopic ear surgery techniques, medical robotics, and the application of artificial intelligence in medicine and technological tools for neurosciences. Paralleled with that, his interest has extended to the broader field of medicine, including epidemiology and public health, especially in elderly health. He is also a key member of the Brain and Mind Institute, the Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, the INNOHK Multiscale Medical Robotics Centre, and the CUHK T-Stone Robotics Institute.

Having led the relevant clinical research teams, Professor Tong has numerous successful grants and over 280 peer-reviewed publications, which have resulted in a national and international reputation for his Department in the field of general otology, cochlear and auditory brainstem implantation, and nasopharyngeal cancer research. He has also been interested in developing technical innovations for minimally invasive surgery in otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery.

Professor Tong has been visiting globally as an educator for the past 30 years, sharing his clinical and surgical experience in hearing implants, endoscopic ear surgery, and related fields of the specialty. He has been a key leader in chairing international conferences and committees, and he co-founded the World Chinese Academy of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the sole notable organization to represent greater China for IFOS, the international ENT community.

Apart from teaching, research, and clinical work, Professor Tong advocates for community service to educate the public on health issues related to the ear, nose, and throat. As the Founder and Chairman of a non-profit organization, Hear Talk Foundation, since 2003, he has enlisted voluntary service from professionals to offer service to the underprivileged. The Foundation has operated regular charitable missions to mainland China to provide free medical and surgical treatment to the poor and surgical training to local specialists. Professor Tong has also established an organization, the Asia Pacific Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Training Group (APOST) since 2016, to train otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgeons in the Asia-Pacific region to foster specialty development in Asia through collaboration between academic and industrial partners.

Research Interests

Otology, Neurotology, Hearing implants, Skull base surgery, Robotics, Artificial intelligence in medicine, Epidemiology and public health education especially in elderly health, Development of new techniques of minimally invasive surgery

Academic and Professional Qualifications

Honorary Appointments in Other Professional Activities