Hearing & Vision Screening

Children must be screened for both hearing and vision at least once between the ages of 3 and 5 before they enter Kindergarten.

The hearing and vision screening is required by the Michigan Public Health Code.

Hearing and Vision Screening Clinics are provided by the Health Department in the Spring and early September by appointment only.

If your child has been previously screened at the Health Department or at their preschool please call (989) 832-6673 to obtain a copy of their record.

Trained technicians screen children in grade schools for hearing and vision.

• Hearing is screened during kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 4th grade.
• Vision is screened in 1st grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade, 7th grade, and 9th grade.
• Your child can be screened for hearing and vision in any grade by parent or teacher request.

If your child is homeschooled, you can make an appointment for a hearing and vision screening at the Health Department.

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

•   Has a history of ear infections or drainage

•   Listens to music, video games, or TV at loud volumes

•   Misunderstands or often asks to have things repeated

If you have any concerns about your child's hearing, please contact us for a screening.

The earlier a problem is identified, the sooner it may be corrected and permanent damage may be prevented.

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

•   Squints or tilts their head to see

•   Has an eye that crosses or wanders when they are ill or tired

•   Holds object close to their eyes

If you have any concerns about your child's vision, please contact us for a screening.

The earlier a problem is identified, the sooner it may be corrected and permanent damage may be prevented.

Any child who does not pass the initial and/or rescreen is referred for further medical evaluation by a doctor or medical professional.

• A referral letter and physician fax form will be sent home.
• Please take the physician fax form to your child's appointment.
• Your doctor’s office will fax results back to the Health Department.
• We are required to follow up with you regarding the outcome of your child’s exam by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
• You can also call us with your child’s results.
• Contacting us with your child’s results allows us to close your child’s hearing or vision record.
• We always send reminder letters when we do not receive follow up after a referral.

Any child who does not pass the initial and/or rescreen is referred for further medical evaluation by a doctor or medical professional.

We always send reminder letters when we do not receive follow up after a referral.

Contacting us with your child’s results allows us to close your child’s hearing or vision record.

MICHIGAN HEARING & VISION WEBSITE

Hearing & Vision Brochure

Children's Special Health Care Services

Newborn Hearing Screening

Teacher Toolkit for Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss