Helping Students See, Hear, and Thrive
At Branch-Hillsdale-St.Joseph Community Health Agency, we partner with local schools to provide hearing and vision screenings that help identify potential concerns early.
These screenings support children’s health, learning, and development by connecting families with the information and resources they need when follow-up care is recommended.
Hearing Screening
Many children don’t realize they may be hearing differently than others. Identifying hearing concerns early gives children the best opportunity to develop strong speech, language, learning, and social skills while helping reduce the risk of developmental and academic delays. Early detection and intervention can make a lasting difference in a child’s growth and success.
In partnership with the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) Hearing Screening Program, we screen children for hearing at least once between the ages of 3 and 5 years, and every other year between the ages of 5 and 10 years. *We may also screen children younger than 3 using Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs).
Screening dates are available by calling your child’s school, and information is sent home with each child at the beginning of the school year. If required, a referral may be made to the child’s primary care provider, pediatrician, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician, or audiologist. A member of our Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency team will also follow-up on all referrals to assure that care was received. Completed follow-ups are reported back to the MDHHS.
Questions? Please call 517-279-9561, ext. 110.
Vision Screening
Healthy vision plays an important role in a child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive. The goal of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency’s Vision Screening Program is to help identify vision concerns early, when treatment is often most effective. Early detection can help prevent long-term vision problems and reduce the impact that undiagnosed eye conditions may have on a child’s development, learning, and overall quality of life.
In accordance with the Michigan Public Health Code, we provide vision screenings for children:
• At least once between 3 and 5 years of age
• Before entering kindergarten
• In grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 (or in conjunction with driver’s education)
Questions? Please call 517-279-9561, ext. 110.