School-age children should be screened for hearing loss as needed, requested, mandated, or when conditions place them at risk for hearing disability. Screening for hearing loss identifies the school-age children most likely to have hearing impairment that may interfere with development, communication, health, and education. School age children with even minimal hearing loss are at risk for academic and communication difficulties.

Periodic screenings are recommended because of the increased potential for hearing loss due to overexposure to high levels of noise and the importance of identifying children at risk for hearing impairment that may affect their future educational, vocational, or social opportunities.

School age children should be screened at the following times:

1. on first entry into school

2. every year from kindergarten through 3 ^rd grade

3. in 7 ^th grade

4. in 11 ^th grade

5. upon entrance into special education

6. upon grade repetition

7. upon entering a new school system without evidence of having passed a previous hearing screening

School age children who already receive regular audiologic management need not participate in a screening program.

Vision Screening

Many children enter school with vision problems. Children usually do not know that they see differently. Early identification of an eye problem is important. Conditions like amblyopia, or lazy eye, can be prevented if detected and treated during pre-school years.

Why is Screening Children So Important?

While only an eye care professional can diagnose and treat a vision problem, screening helps find children who are in need of a full eye exam. Vision problems affect 1 in 20 pre-schoolers. They also affect 1 in 4 school-age children. Yet, over 80% of preschool and school-age children never receive an eye exam. Children often do not know when they are not seeing properly. Without early detection and treatment, children's vision problems can lead to:

• permanent vision loss
   
• learning difficulties and
   
• delayed development