Who needs to be screened?

• All new students (with no previously documented screenings)

• All students in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7(vision only), 9 and 11

• All students with undocumented follow-up from the previous school year

Why is it important to have your child’s vision and hearing screened at school?

• To identify if your child has vision problems or might be at risk for vision problems.

• Hearing is important for speech, language development, reading, and learning.

• A hearing screening can detect if your child needs further hearing testing.

• Even if your child has passed a hearing screening previously, their hearing can change.

• Hearing problems can be related to medical problems.

What tests are included in my child’s vision screen?

• Observation (all grades)

• Monocular distance acuity (all grades)

• Stereopsis test (Kindergarten and First grade)

• Color deficit test (males only, in Kindergarten or First grade if not done in Kindergarten)

What tests are included in my child’s hearing screen?

• Audiometry: Screening of hearing acuity

How will I find out the results of my child’s vision and screening results?

• If your child passes the vision and hearing screening, you may not be contacted by the school nurse.

• If your child fails the screening, you will be informed of the test results and provided with referral paperwork.

What do I need to do if my child fails the vision or hearing screening?

• Vision and hearing screening provides a snapshot of how your child performs on the day the test was administered and is not a substitute for a complete eye exam by an optometrist/ophthalmologist or audiologist/ENT.

• Follow up should be arranged with an eye specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist) or a hearing specialist (audiologist or ENT).

• Provide the specialist with the referral paperwork and return it to the school once it has been completed.

If you should choose opt-out of any part of the school vision and hearing screening, a written request will need to be provided to the school building’s health aide in the clinic. The waiver to exclude the child needs to be renewed each school year or the child’s vision &/or hearing may be screened/monitored as mandated by the Ohio Department of Health guidelines for school vision & hearing screenings.