The Unfortunate Truth

Less than 1%

of Cambodians that need hearing aids have them primarily due to cost.

85%

of those live in abject poverty.

2 million

Cambodians live with disabling hearing loss.

$2,600

is the average income earnt per annum.

In a country gripped by poverty, the weakest are quite often the hardest hit.

The least well off in Australia have access to welfare and free hearing services funded by the government, this is not the case in Cambodia. Older people in Cambodia have lived difficult lives, including civil war, political violence, displacement, and poverty resulting from the Khmer Rouge period. An increasing number are guardians of grandchildren due to the economic migration of their parents, or as a result of their parents’ separation or death. This further increases their living and health costs. Only 5% are eligible for any sort of pension meaning many have no choice but to continue working. Poor health (including problems with eyesight and hearing) directly affects their livelihoods, capacity to care for younger people and to participate in daily life.

All Ears Cambodia is a small, non-governmental audiology charity based in Phnom Pehn Cambodia. What makes All Ears Cambodia unique is their focus on training local clinicians. Unlike other charities that fly in and out of third world countries as a once off, the training and employment of local clinicians enables the continuity of care to make a real difference over the long term.

Neuaudio has been supporting All Ears Cambodia since 2012, coordinating the donation of hearing devices at a total value of over $50,000, sending pre-loved devices from practices and presenting sessions as a guest lecturer to their Audiology students.