Hearing and Vision Screening Services

Vision and Hearing Screening
Symptoms of Vision Problems
Vision Problems in School Aged Children
Children at Risk for Vision Problems
Resources for Eye Exams and Eye Glasses
Symptoms of Hearing Problems
Resources for Hearing Exams and Support Services

Vision and Hearing Screening in Schools

Children depend on their eyes and ears to understand and remember information of all kinds.  Vision and hearing problems can be a roadblock to a child’s learning and impact their development, socialization, and behavior.  

Children in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) are screened for vision and hearing problems in pre-kindergarten, Head Start, upon first enrollment in MCPS, Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 8.  Teachers may also refer students to be screened if they notice problems with vision or hearing in the classroom. 

Children who fail the vision and/or hearing screening will receive the results via the U.S. mail and will be encouraged to take the results to their health care provider for further evaluation.

While your child may pass the school based vision or hearing screening, it is important to know that screenings may not detect every vision or hearing problem. Parents/guardians should be aware of possible problems, symptoms of problems, and who may be at greatest risk for problems.  Children with signs of possible vision or hearing problems should contact their school nurse or health care provider.

The information on this page is to help parents/guardians of students who passed the screenings know what signs and symptoms to look for and where to find help.

Symptoms of Vision Problems

• Blurry or double vision
• Headaches
• Complaints of eye strain
• Closing one eye
• Fatigue
• Eyes that appear crossed or that don't line up
• Dizziness
• Squinting of head turning
• Excessive blinking, tearing, burning or redness
• Behavior such as avoiding school work

Vision Problems in School Aged Children

VISION PROBLEM	DESCRIPTION
Amblyopia, also called lazy eye	Blurry or reduced vision that is not corrected by glasses. Crossed eyes, eyes that don’t line up or one eye that focuses better than the other can cause amblyopia.   Amblyopia can be treated, especially if caught at a young age.
Astigmatism	Blurry vision that occurs when the cornea (clear front cover of the eye) has an irregular shape.  Children with astigmatism may need glasses/contacts.
Farsightedness (hyperopia)	Occurs when the eyeball is too short for focusing. Images of near objects may appear blurred.  Hyperopia may be corrected with glasses/contacts.
Nearsightedness (myopia)	Occurs when the eyeball is too long for focusing. Images of distant objects appear blurred. Myopia may be corrected with glasses/contacts.
Strabismus	Crossed eyes or wandering eyes that do not line up with each other. If untreated, strabismus can cause amblyopia.

Vision screening is not a substitute for and does not replace a comprehensive eye exam performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.  The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health encourages parents/guardians to seek a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist for children with any of the conditions listed below or if they have any concerns about their child’s vision.

Children at Risk for Vision Problems

• Eyes that do not look normal
• Neurodevelopmental disorders such as hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, speech delay
• Health conditions with known effects on the eye – diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
• Parents or siblings with vision problems
• Prematurity of less than 32 weeks
• Parents/guardians who believe their child has a vision problem
• Children of women who smoked during pregnancy

Resources for Eye Exams and Eye Glasses

View our  Resources for Eye Exams and Eyeglasses​ (PDF).

Symptoms of Hearing Problems

Parents/guardians are often the first people to notice hearing problems in children who have not been identified as having a hearing problem at birth.  Hearing problems may be temporary or permanent and may be caused by birth defects, illness, infection, injury, medications, or exposure to loud sounds or noises.

• Does not speak
• Does not respond to their name
• Mispronounces common words
• Confuses words that sound alike
• Always speaks too loudly or too softly
• Asks to have words repeated
• Does not respond to conversation
• Complains of “noise” or ringing in ears
• Does not pay attention
• Has difficulty learning
• Turns up the volume on TV and other audio devices
• Does not follow verbal directions correctly
• Has problems with balance

Parents/guardians who note possible hearing problems in their child should contact their health care provider for further evaluation.

Resources for Hearing Exams and Support Services

The following programs serve low-income, uninsured students who have failed a hearing screening

Family Hearing Center - The Treatment and Learning Centers (TLC)
1390 Piccard Drive, Suite 120, Rockville, MD 20850
301-738-1415 (V) 301-424-5023 (TTY)
Email:  [email protected]
This organization does not provide hearing testing to uninsured individuals who cannot pay for services. However, if the individual needs hearing aids, it will help provide them to people who cannot afford them.

Disability Network Directory A listing of resources available in and around Montgomery County https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-program/Resources/Files/A%26D%20Docs/DND/DNDHardOfHearing.pdf

Additional Resources

Miracle-Ear Foundation  - provides hearing aids free of charge to students who have no other resources available including insurance and medical assistance. Eligibility | Application

Montgomery County Public Schools – Office of Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHOH) Program provides comprehensive programs and services for children from birth through high school graduation who have an educationally significant hearing loss.
Phone – 240-740-1810; VP - 240-751-4430

Audiologists

Live Better Hearing + Balance
Accepts many insurance plans.
Locations in Chevy Chase and Montgomery Village, Silver Spring, and Rockville.
Please visit the website for more information.

Hearing Healthcare
Offices in Wheaton and Rockville
Wheaton – 301-946-2434
Rockville – 301-527-1123
Please visit the website for more information.