Hearing

The hearing training manual primarily covers the technical aspects of conducting hearing screening programs for preschool- and school-age children to differentiate between those who may have hearing problems and those who may not. This manual is an adjunct to the Audiometric Screening Techniques Workshops provided by Vision and Hearing Screening, a program of the Department of State Health Services. It is not designed to stand alone as a complete textbook of all hearing screening methods, nor should it be used by one screener to train another in hearing screening techniques.

A hearing conservation program is part of a total school health program. It includes student education in devices and behaviors to prevent hearing loss; state-mandated screening procedures; treatment of professionally diagnosed cases; proper educational placement; and rehabilitation when necessary. Methods of carrying out individual programs will depend upon the availability of personnel and facilities in schools and local communities.

Screening is a way to identify children who may have hearing loss. After the identification process is complete, an analysis of existing resources will determine which necessary follow-up services are available locally. 

Hearing services previously provided through the PACT program at DSHS were transferred to the Medicaid program effective September 1, 2009.

Vision

The vision screening manual is intended for use in conjunction with a training session conducted by a DSHS-certified vision instructor. It provides information on standards for the administration of preschool and school vision screening tests, appropriate referral criteria, and the necessary referral procedures.

To become certified as a vision screener or an instructor of vision screeners, a person must meet specified training criteria. Please visit Standards and Requirements for Screening Certification and Instructor Training for more information.

Objectives for Vision Screening Program:

The goal of this program is to equip each vision screener with the knowledge and skills necessary to make appropriate referrals for evaluation by a medical professional. To achieve this, vision screeners will be expected to meet the following objectives:

1. Recognize signs and symptoms associated with visual problems.
2. Select and use materials to create an appropriate screening environment.
3. Determine by the age of the child which of the three screening charts should be selected.
4. Train the child to respond accurately to indicated target objects (symbols) on the selected chart.
5. Pretest to determine whether training for distance acuity screening was effective and chart selection was appropriate to the child's developmental level.
6. Demonstrate proper screening and record-keeping procedures for distance acuity, Hirschberg corneal light reflex, and cover and uncover tests.
7. Determine the pass/fail, rescreen, and referral status of a child based on established criteria for two age groups.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate follow-up procedures for children who fail the screen.
9. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate procedures for making statistical reports to the Department of State Health Services.

•  Vision Information
• Vision and Eye Health information from the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health

Spinal

Screening for Scoliosis

For scoliosis, each student is observed from the front, side, and back: (a) while standing straight, and (b) while gradually bending forward, with the arms hanging down and palms touching, as if diving into a pool. The screener looks for head misalignment to one side of the cleft in the buttocks; one shoulder or hip higher than the other; prominence of the rib cage or the small of the back; an unequal distance between the arms and the body; and a curve in the spine. An experienced person should be able to screen 25-30 students per hour. Screening should be performed with the subject's shoes taken off. 

• Forward Bend Technique

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