Vision and Hearing Screening

Identifying vision and hearing deficiencies at an early age will lessen the likelihood these deficiencies will turn into learning disorders and behavioral problems and serves as the goal for this program. Vision and hearing conservation education is provided to parents, school staff and the community.

Certified hearing and vision screening technicians provide screening for preschool through school-age children for vision and hearing deficiencies. In the event that deficiencies in either area are detected, the technicians follow-up with families to make sure the necessary diagnostic testing is accessible and provided. Staff link uninsured and underinsured families with community resources for the child to receive follow-up examinations if necessary.

The Illinois Child Vision and Hearing Test Act establishes minimum standards for the mandated vision and hearing screening programs throughout the state.

The minimum standards are as follows:

• All mandated screening must be done by screeners trained and certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Minimum mandated grades for vision screening are kindergarten, second, and eighth.
• Minimum mandated grades for hearing screening are kindergarten, first, second, and third.
• All children age 3 and older in licensed daycare/preschool facilities must be screened annually for both vision and hearing.
• If a child refers on the first screening, a second screening, identical to the first screening is required in 10 to 14 days.
• Any child not passing the vision rescreening shall be referred, through the parents, for further evaluation by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
• Any child not passing the hearing rescreening shall be given a hearing thresholds test.
• Any child meeting referral criteria on the hearing threshold test shall be referred, through the parent/guardian, for further testing by a physician or audiologist.