Vision and Hearing Screening
Vision and hearing screening is not required in Minnesota schools but is highly recommended due to the significant impact on learning. Completing vision and hearing screening early in the fall is recommended.
Schools are responsible for ensuring that vision screening equipment (eye charts) are up to date to meet best practice recommendations and for ensuring hearing screening equipment is functioning properly. Audiometers should be calibrated every year.
Vision Screening
Vision screening is recommended in grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10. Screening should also be completed for new students, students undergoing evaluation for special education services, and as concerns arise.
The MDH Vision Screening home page has the vision screening training manual which provides the most recent evidence-based practice for vision screening. It also includes worksheets for screening and notification letters.
Hearing Screening
Hearing screening is recommended annually for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade and again in grades 5, 8 and 11. Hearing screening should be completed for new students, students undergoing evaluation for special education services, and as concerns arise.
The MDH Hearing Screening home page has the hearing screening training manual providing the most recent evidence-based practice for hearing screening. The manual also includes screening forms than can be used when screening.
Training
MDH through Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) provides best practices training for vision and hearing screening. Training is open to nurses, school health paraprofessionals, or volunteers in school who perform vison and hearing screening with students. This training helps to ensure consistency in screening and the referral process. It is highly recommended to complete this training before providing screening. To register or to learn more visit MDH C&TC Training Descriptions.
School Vision and Hearing Screening Videos
In collaboration with BrightWorks, A Minnesota Service Cooperative, five videos were developed to provide a quick review on vision and hearing screening in schools. These videos are a supplement and not a replacement for the C&TC Vision and Hearing Screening Training or the Vision and Hearing Screening Manuals.
Nurses
These videos were developed to provide a review for nurses who have been previously trained in vision and hearing screening. These videos align with the role of the school nurse in school screening. These videos are about 15 minutes in length.
Quick Review: Hearing Screening for School Nurses - YouTube
Quick Review: Vision Screening for School Nurses - YouTube
School Health Assistants/Volunteers
These videos align with the role and scope of school health assistants or volunteers who assist the nurse with the school screening program. It is the responsibility of the nurse to share specific information related to the school’s screening program and to answer questions. These videos are about 12 minutes in length.
Quick Review: Hearing Screening for those assisting School Nurses - YouTube
Quick Review: Vision Screening for those assisting School Nurses - YouTube
Elementary Students
This video was developed to help elementary students learn what to expect and alleviate any apprehension when participating in vison and hearing screening at school. The video was aimed for elementary students but could be used for any grade and is about 3 minutes in length. The nurse or the classroom teacher could show this video in the day/s preceding the scheduled screening.
A Quick Review to Help Prepare Elementary Students for Hearing/Vision Screening - YouTube