School-required vision and hearing tests now free in Monroe County
Appointments are available through August, according to an announcement.
Screenings are required by the Michigan Public Health Code for all children starting kindergarten or preschool, including those in public, private, charter, preschool, Head Start and qualifying childcare centers. Parents will need to provide proof of screening before their child enters kindergarten or Head Start.
Once a child is in school, the Monroe County Health Department partners with all Monroe County school districts to continue free, in-school screenings regularly.
'Young children may not realize if they have a hearing or vision problem, which can impact their learning and development,' said Brooke Fender, hearing and vision coordinator at the Monroe County Health Department. 'Our goal is to ensure every child has all the tools they need to hear, see and learn to be successful in school.'
The department's Hearing and Vision Program uses advanced equipment to ensure screenings are accessible for all students in Monroe County.
The Spot Vision Screener and Otoacoustic Emissions devices accommodate students with disabilities that may have otherwise prevented them from obtaining a standard preliminary screening. This eliminates the need for parents to schedule an appointment with an outside provider for a specialized screening.
Vision screenings include tests for visual acuity, farsightedness, the ability to use two eyes together and symptoms of eye problems. Hearing screenings are conducted with an audiometer and other equipment based on a child's needs. If any issues are discovered, the program assists parents with a referral to a doctor.
In 2024, the Monroe County Health Department provided 15,973 hearing and vision screenings.
For more information about the department's Hearing and Vision Program, go to tinyurl.com/MCHDseehear or call 734-240-7856.
The Monroe County Health Department aims to protect the public through health promotion, disease prevention and environmental preservation. Local public health information and updates are available at healthymonroecounty.com and on social media @MCHDMichigan.
Monroe News is bringing you more local news: Here's how you can submit your announcements
This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Is your child ready for school? Free screenings now in Monroe County
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