Hearing and Vision Screening
Mid-Michigan District Health Department, in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, conducts FREE hearing and vision screenings in all Michigan schools, starting in preschool. Children not enrolled in a traditional school setting can be screened at MMDHD by appointment.
Hearing and vision difficulties can hamper a child’s ability to read, pay attention, follow directions, and ultimately learn. Hearing and vision problems often lead to behavioral problems as well, which creates a host of additional problems not only at school, but at home and in the community.
Making sure children in Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm counties are seeing and hearing properly is a job MMDHD takes very seriously!
Hearing
Goals of the hearing program include identifying hearing loss as early as possible; reducing preventable hearing loss; identifying hearing impaired children so their educational, medical and social needs can be met; and helping parents and school personnel understand the child’s hearing loss needs.
Your child may have a hearing problem if they:
- Have a history of ear infections or drainage from the ear
- Ask to have the volume turned up on the television or radio
- Misunderstand directions or ask to have things repeated
Vision
Vision screening tests for clearness of vision, eye muscle balance, nearsightedness/farsightedness, and symptoms of other eyesight problems.
Your child may have a vision problem if they:
- Squint or tilt their head to see
- Have an eye that crosses or wanders when they are ill or tired
- Hold objects close to their eyes
For more information, visit the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) hearing and vision page.