Detecting Vision, Hearing Loss in Portage Schools

Written by Pat Olson, Director of Nursing

It would come as no surprise to anyone that a child dealing with undiagnosed vision or hearing loss would struggle in school. Many children are not seen by a medical professional for these issues unless the parent notices an obvious problem. Quite often it is detected during the basic screenings done by school health personnel.

Different screenings are done throughout the school year. Indiana mandates vision screenings for students in kindergarten, first grade, third grade and eighth grade. Hearing screenings are mandated for grades one, four, seven and and 10.

Also, any child suspected to have a vision or hearing problem may be screened upon request. If a student fails either of these screenings, a referral note is sent home to notify parents or guardians of the results so that a more in-depth exam can be done by the appropriate specialist.

In today's economy families many times do not have the insurance or funds to pay for these types of screenings. If that is the case, please call the clinic at the school your child attends to obtain information about programs available to assist families. The programs available are easy to use and private.

Hearing problems seem to be on the rise. Much of the hearing loss in children age 6 to 19 is related to excessive exposure to loud noise. Sources for these potentially harmful exposures include personal listening devices such as mp3 players, video games, concerts and events such as auto races, just to name a few. Other causes of hearing loss include ear infections, injuries to the head or ear, and temporary issues such as a buildup of ear wax.

Symptoms of hearing loss may include but are not limited to the inability to hear conversations, inability to hear in noisy situations and ringing in the ears. If your child complains of any of these hearing issues, feel free to ask the school clinic personnel at your child's school to perform a screening.

Vision problems vary greatly. If you notice your child reading items either very close or far away from their faces or turning their head to one side to read, they may be experiencing a vision problem. Other possible symptoms include frequent headaches, squinting, rubbing their eyes, sitting very close to the television, and frequent mistakes when reading or copying notes from the classroom board. If you notice any of the symptoms, again feel free to ask the school clinic personnel at your child's school to perform a screening.

Vision and hearing problems are not always the first thought when a child is struggling in school. These items should always be assessed at the beginning of any investigation into a child's struggles with school work. If a vision or hearing problem is diagnosed in your child, allowing them to be part of the decision-making in their treatment often leads to better compliance. For instance, allowing your child to choose the frames for their glasses or allowing contact lenses if they are mature enough to care for them is an important step in ensuring their cooperation.

Teachers can make accommodations in the classroom, such as seating location, to help a child once a diagnosis is confirmed. Schools and parents working together can help identify problems in these areas and get the treatment needed.