MEDARVA Vision and Hearing Screening Program

Mobile vision and hearing screenings prepare preschoolers for kindergarten.

The MEDARVA Vision & Hearing Screening Program is dedicated to highlighting the importance of early screenings to detect vision and hearing concerns, so every child has the chance to reach their full potential. Our free mobile screenings are quick, non-invasive and always child-friendly.

Why Should My Child Be Screened?
A child needs many abilities to succeed in school. Good vision and hearing are key. It has been estimated that as much as 80% of the learning a child does occurs through his or her eyes. Reading, writing, white board work, and using computers are among the visual tasks students perform daily. A child’s eyes and ears are constantly in use in the classroom and at play. When his or her vision or hearing are not functioning properly, learning, social development, and participation in sports can suffer.

How It Works
Designed for children ages 4-6, our screenings are easy, non-invasive and quick—it takes just a few minutes per child to complete. The MEDARVA team uses the child-friendly Plusoptix Mobile Screener for vision screening, along with a proprietary hearing screener specifically designed for this program.

After the screenings are completed, children are provided with their results—either a “pass” or a “refer” status, with more information to take home to their parent or guardian.

Signs to Look For
Because vision and hearing may change frequently during the school years, regular medical exams are important. Over the years, you and your child’s teachers should watch for clues that your child’s vision or hearing may be changing. Some of them may be subtle. A child may not tell you that he or she may have a vision or hearing problem because they may think the way they see and hear is the same as everyone else.

Signs that may indicate a child has a vision or hearing problem include:
Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
Avoiding reading and other close activities
Frequent headaches
Covering one eye
Tilting or turning the head to one side
Holding reading materials close to the face
An eye turning in or out
Seeing double
Losing place when reading
Difficulty remembering what he or she read
Attempt to do work, but with a lower level of comprehension
Experience discomfort and fatigue
Has a short attention span
Asking to repeat things that have been said
Turning volume up on electronic devices
Difficulty pronouncing words
All of these are just examples. There are other signs that a medical professional can discuss with you as your child grows.

Early Detection
Our research shows that children only know what they have experienced. Therefore, fuzzy letters, words or even faces may not seem strange to them because that’s all they know. A child who has a difficult time hearing may struggle in class and may feel socially isolated. Sometimes parents and teachers may feel that their child has “tuned them out” when in reality, something may be preventing the child from hearing clearly.

Finding and treating eye problems such as blurry vision, Amblyopia (lazy eye) and Strabismus (crossed eyes) at an early age may have a significant impact on improving a child’s success in school and can often be treated effectively with early detection. Early treatment of hearing problems also leads to better outcomes for the child. In some cases, if the vision or hearing problem is not identified and corrected early enough, permanent damage may result.

The important fact to remember is that on-going vision and hearing screenings by healthcare professionals are important. Growing children use their eyes and ears constantly, both at play and in the classroom. Early detection of vision or hearing problems increases each child’s opportunity for academic, athletic, and social success!

www.visionhearingscreen.com