The purpose of vision and hearing screening is to aid in the detection of school-age children who have or are at risk for developing vision/hearing disorders. Students enrolled for the first time in either Kindergarten or First Grade should be screened also for speech and communication. These screenings are required by the Ohio Department of Health on an annual basis and will be administered during the school year to the following students: 

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• All new students

• All students in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7

• All students with undocumented follow-up from the previous school year 

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Why is it important to have your child’s vision and hearing, speech and communication screened at school? 

• To identify if your child has vision problems or might be at risk for vision problems.

• Hearing is important for speech, language development, reading, and learning.

• A hearing screening can detect if your child needs further hearing testing.

• Even if your child has passed a hearing screening previously, their hearing can change. 

• Hearing problems can be related to medical problems. 

 

What tests are included in my child’s vision screen? 

• Observation (all grades)

• Monocular distance acuity (all grades)

• Ocular muscle balance test (First grade)

• Stereopsis test (Kindergarten and First grade)

• Color deficit test (males only, in Kindergarten or First grade) 

 

What tests are included in my child’s hearing screen? 

• Audiometry: Screening of hearing acuity 

 

How will I find out the results of my child’s vision and screening results? 

• If your child passes the vision and hearing screening, you may not be contacted by the school. 

• If your child fails the screening, you’ll be informed of the results and provided with referral paperwork. 

 

What do I need to do if my child fails the vision or hearing screening? 

• Vision and hearing screenings provide a snapshot of how your child performs on the day the test was administered and is not a substitute for a complete eye exam by an optometrist/ophthalmologist or audiologist/ENT. 

• Follow up should be arranged with an eye specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist) or a hearing specialist (audiologist or ENT). 

• Provide the specialist with the referral paperwork and return it to the school office once completed. 

 

 

If you should choose to opt-out of any part of the school vision and hearing screening, a written request must be provided to the main office in advance.