Annual Hearing and Vision Screenings at Sprague

From the Sprague School Nurse:

         I have started conducting the mandated annual hearing and vision screenings at Sprague. These screenings help identify barriers that would impede a child's ability to learn because much learning is accomplished through vision and/or hearing.    

        Early identification of hearing and vision problems can prevent problems that relate to speech and language development, social and emotional development, academic achievement, and/or permanent vision loss. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has established guidelines regarding screening procedures and referral criteria for school-age children.

Vision screening checks for

• problems in acuity (sharpness)
• amblyopia (reduced vision in an otherwise healthy eye)
• binocular function (one image using both eyes)
• hyperopia (farsightedness - problems seeing close images)
• myopia (nearsightedness - problems seeing at a distance)
• strabismus (eyes not properly aligned)  
• stereopsis (three-dimensional vision) grades K-3

This helps identify students who may have an unrecognized vision problem that could lead to the development of permanent vision loss if not detected early.

        Hearing screening checks for response to tones in the frequencies most used for spoken communication. A hearing impairment interferes with normal speech development; school age children with even minimal hearing loss are at risk for academic and communication difficulties. Early detection and proper medical treatment insures a better chance of successfully correcting any hearing problems.

        School screening tests are not diagnostic in nature. They are designed to identify students who need further evaluation, with the goal of early detection, diagnosis and treatment of hearing and vision problems before they can interfere with a child's academic success.  Each year here at Sprague the students undergo the mandated screenings. I then contact parents of those children who do not pass the screenings, to refer for further evaluation by their physician.

        Please call me at 781-263-1969 x 502 if you have any questions or concerns.

        Sharon Kahn RN

        Sprague School Nurse