Author: Kailee Curtis

Hearing and Vision Screening

The ability to hear and see can affect learning, which is key to a child's success. Undiagnosed hearing and vision problems can interfere with children’s development. Early detection and treatment of hearing and vision problems can help children succeed in school. All local health departments in Michigan conduct free hearing and vision screening, often in schools. Youth are screened at specified intervals from pre-kindergarten through high school.

Key Positions
Hearing and Vision Technicians
Program Coordinator

In 2017, about 9,000 children were screened for hearing, and more than 11,000 children were screened for vision in Barry and Eaton counties.

Meets Public Health Standards:

ü	Michigan Public Health Code
ü	MI Local Public Health Accreditation
	Public Health Accreditation Board

Combined FTE: 1.5

Health Improvement Efforts:

Funding Sources for BEDHD Hearing and Vision:

	Barry Community Health Assessment & Community Health Improvement Plan
	Eaton Community Health Assessment & Community Health Improvement Plan

State Grants

Local Funding

Medicaid

Services:
Fully-trained hearing and vision technicians at BEDHD comprehensively screen children’s hearing and vision free of charge. Screenings take place at schools, preschools, Head Starts, and the health department. Students are screened for vision before they enter kindergarten and when they are in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th grades. Students are screened for hearing at least once between the ages of 3 to 5 years old, in kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades. The parents of students who do not pass the screening are notified and recommendations are made to follow up with an eye/ear professional or a family doctor.
Goals:
Hearing and vision screening is meant to
Detect hearing and vision problems early.
Hearing problems can include hearing loss and middle ear pathology. Vision problems can include lazy eye, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.
Refer children to providers that can help correct hearing and vision problems, if necessary.
Remove barriers, such as cost, to children having their hearing and vision screened.

Aligns with BEDHD Strategic Priorities:

A strong , healthy start in life

Children Screened, FY17

Hearing

8962

Vision

11876

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Referrals and Follow-Up, FY17

Total Referrals to Doctor

358

983

Total Records of Follow-Up Care

Hearing
Vision

233

629

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Impact:
In 2017, 358 children screened for hearing were referred to doctors. BEDHD received a total of 233 records of follow-up care with a doctor.
Of children screened for vision, 983 were referred to a doctor. BEDHD received a total of 629 records of follow-up care with a doctor.