Vision and Hearing Screenings

Next week, the DuPage County Health Department will offer vision and hearing screenings to all students in the Lincoln Learning Center Preschool program. The screenings will take place on Monday, March 10 and Tuesday, March 11.

These regular screenings are particularly important during the formative years when a child is learning at a rapid pace. The tests administered by the Health Department can be more extensive than tests given by most pediatricians and should be a part of a young child's care. The certified screening technician administering the tests will note observable signs or symptoms of possible vision and hearing problems.

The vision screening is divided into three tests:

• Sharpness of vision
• Farsightedness (hyperopia)
• Muscle balance (eyes' ability to work together)

*The vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor and this screening does not count toward the Kindergarten vision exam requirement.

The hearing screening detects loss sufficient to warrant treatment in about 5% of school children. The discovery of hearing loss is particularly important among infants and preschool children. Early detection and prompt treatment can prevent nearly 80% of all hearing damage.

Both of the screenings are optional. You are welcome to do participate in just the vision screening, just the hearing screening, both screenings, or neither screening.

The DuPage County Health Department assesses a fee of $4 per screening. If you would like your child to be screened, please submit cash or a check made payable to the Downers Grove Park District to your child's teacher by Friday, March 7. Please indicate which screening you are choosing.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle at mpusateri@dgparks.org.