NUS Medicine students bring hearing care to Cambodian villagers

In Poipet, Cambodia, one of the country’s most underserved regions beset by significant health challenges–including hearing loss–more than 600 villagers received vital health screenings that for the first time included professional hearing assessments.

The screenings and hearing assessments were made possible with the help of Project Battambang, an initiative led by students from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine). Since its inception in 2010, Project Battambang has conducted nearly 10,200 health screenings, uncovering undiagnosed conditions ranging from cataracts to infectious diseases like tuberculosis. The recent initiative that took place in December 2024 involved 28 Year 1 and Year 2 students from NUS Medicine.

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 1.6 billion people live with some form of hearing loss, a number expected to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050, with at least 700 million requiring hearing rehabilitation.[1]  In Cambodia, where access to hearing care is scarce[2], Project Battambang’s collaboration with audiologists from WS Audiology, a global leader in the hearing aid industry, is crucial in bringing advanced hearing care to Poipet. The initiative enabled diagnosing hearing impairments with greater precision and provide targeted support to the community.

As part of this collaboration, WS Audiology also donated 250 hearing aids to the project, ensuring that villagers identified with hearing loss could receive the necessary devices. Between 5 and 10% of the villagers were found to suffer from some form of hearing loss that would not otherwise have been diagnosed or treated. Over 85% of these affected villagers were successfully fitted with hearing aids, allowing them to hear clearly for the first time in years.

A 71-year-old villager, who received one of these hearing aids, said, “It's like a veil has been lifted. The world sounds clearer now."

Lim Yu En, one of two Project Battambang Project Directors, and a Year 2 student at NUS Medicine, said, "We learned that true healthcare goes beyond medical treatment. It's about addressing the root causes of health issues, such as access to clean water and education. By taking a holistic approach, we can create lasting change.”

Winston Poh, General Manager, Southeast Asia, WS Audiology, added, “At WS Audiology, we’ve always believed that better hearing opens up a world of connection and possibilities. Being part of Project Battambang has been deeply rewarding. We’ve seen how something as simple as hearing clearly can transform lives, from reconnecting with loved ones to engaging more fully in daily life. Collaborating with the dedicated students and communities in Poipet inspires us to continue making hearing care accessible to all.”

“Through Project Battambang, our students are gaining invaluable insights into becoming compassionate doctors. Importantly, they are learning that improving the health of communities extends beyond medical care; it involves improving the economic and social conditions in which people live and work, as these factors influence health outcomes,” remarked Associate Professor Marion Aw, Vice-Dean (Office for Students), NUS Medicine.

[1] World Health Organization, World Report on Hearing, 2021

[2] The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, Access to ear and hearing care services in Cambodia: a qualitative enquiry into experiences of key informants, 2022