The goal of the vision program is to promote eye health of children and the general population through prevention, identification, treatment and health education. The goal of the hearing program is to prevent childhood hearing loss. The technicians refer children who do not pass the tests to physicians or optometrists. The vision and hearing screenings are provided to all school-aged children through their schools. Home-schooled children and pre-schoolers are also eligible, but must contact program staff directly.
The Michigan Public Health Code (Act 368 of 1978) requires the Ingham County Health Department (ICHD) to conduct vision and hearing screening services to children residing in its area at no cost. Hearing and Vision Technicians, trained by the Michigan Department of Community Health, provide screenings in area schools and preschools throughout Ingham County.
Children are screened in different grades, in order to identify children whose hearing or vision may be impacted by a loss. Those children who fail the screening will be referred for follow up care by another medical provider.
For more information, please contact Lisa Chambers, Vision and Hearing Screening Coordinator, at Lchambers@ingham.org or 517-887-4322.