Sophuon is a 20-year-old student in grade 11 who lives with her parents, two sisters, and two brothers in Cambodia. She enjoys learning English in her free time and helping her parents on the family’s farm.
Sophuon began having ear discharge when she was nine months old. Chronic otitis media caused a perforated tympanic membrane on the left side, and she still experiences pain and discharge and has poor hearing in her left ear. Sometimes, the pain is so bad that she cannot go to school.
The tympanic membrane—commonly known as the eardrum—is a thin membrane that separates the external ear structures from the middle and inner ear. It plays a major role in hearing by transmitting sound waves from the air to the middle ear, where the waves are converted to nerve impulses that travel to the brain. The eardrum also protects the middle ear from foreign objects, water, and bacteria. A tear in the eardrum can lead to hearing loss and poses an increased risk for infection.
Sophuon traveled two hours with her mom to reach Watsi’s medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. For $399, surgeons at CSC will perform a myringoplasty surgery to repair the perforated tympanic membrane, treat the infection, and stop the discharge and pain.
Funding for Sophuon also covers the costs of two days of hospital care and three follow-up appointments in the first month after the surgery. As Sophuon heals, her hearing can improve.