Hearing & Vision

hearing and vision screenings with child

The goal of the hearing program is to identify hearing loss in children as early as possible to help reduce preventable hearing loss or ear disease, and initiate necessary steps to alleviate and reduce the trauma of hearing loss.

The goal of the Vision program is to identify children with vision problems and assure referral to eye care professionals. Early identification of an eye problem is important to your child's future.

HEARING AND VISION CONCERNS

An undiagnosed hearing or vision problem may impact your child's ability to develop and learn. The ability to hear and see is a main key to a child's success. Early detection and treatment of hearing and vision problems can help children succeed in school.


Your child may be having hearing problems if he/she:

  • has a history of ear infections or drainage
  • wants music, video games or TV loud
  • misunderstands or often asks to have things repeated

Your child may be having vision problems if he/she:

  • squints or tilts the head to see
  • has an eye that crosses or wanders when the child is ill or tired
  • holds objects close to the eyes

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact us.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Hearing and Vision- 810-648-4098 ext. 196
Sanilac County Health Department
171 Dawson St., Ste.123
Sandusky, MI 48471

Click here for a brochure.

KINDERGARTEN ENTRANCE SCREENINGS

Hearing and vision screening is required by the Michigan Public Health Code. It is available free through Sanilac County Health Department.

All children starting kindergarten or preschool must have their hearing and vision tested BEFORE starting school.

Once a child is in school, free screenings continue on a regular basis.

screening schedule

FAILED HEARING SCREENING

When a child does not pass a hearing screening, the child will be referred to a family physician or an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Specialist.  Your physician may prescribe medicine or make a referral to an Audiologist.

Good hearing in children is essential to normal development.  Undetected and untreated hearing loss affect your child’s:

  • Speech and language development
  • Educational abilities
  • Psychological development
  • Social/emotional development
FAILED VISION SCREENING

At initial testing and/or retesting, children who are unable to pass one or more exercises, are referred to an eye doctor of the family’s choice.  Impaired vision in children can seriously impede learning and can contribute to development of emotional and behavioral problems.

Some common visual defects are:

  • Amblyopia: also known as “lazy eye”, caused by misalignment of child’s eyes such as crossed eyes
  • Unequal vision: one eye focusing better than the other
  • Errors in Refraction: blurred vision
  • Myopia: nearsightedness
  • Hyperopia: farsightedness
  • Astigmatism: distorted vision

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