Vision Hearing Screening
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Vision Hearing Screening
Who are we?
Vision hearing technicians have been trained nationally at the national Audiology Centre in Auckland and are in the process of NZQA accreditation.
Vision hearing technicians are committed to working in partnership with children/tamariki, young people, families/whanau and community.
Objectives
- To provide the vision and hearing screening programme for children in Otago
- To provide early detection of ear and eye defects which may prevent the child’s health, development or education being impaired.
What we offer
- Free and confidential service
- Free clinics throughout the Otago region
- National Vision Hearing Screening programme.
Screening Checks
Tympanometry
This is a test in which a small plastic tip is placed over the opening of the ear and a machine called a tympanometer measures the pressure in the child’s middle ear. It is not a hearing test but identifies the following:
- Chronic ottis media with effusion (fluid)
- Grommets, perforation and/or discharging ears
- Persistent middle ear effusion (fluid)
- Glue ear.
Pure Tone Audiometry (Hearing)
Audiometry is a test that measures hearing using a machine called an audiometer with earphones attached to it. The machine makes a sound at different levels and the child responds by dropping a peg into a basket every time they hear a sound.
Distance vision
This determines how well your child is able to see at a distance. It involves either a letter matching or letter naming test, depending on the age and ability of the child.
Penlight/cover tests
These tests check to see if your child’s eyes are straight and detect the presence of a ‘lazy eye’.
Colour vision (boys only)
This is to detect children with the most common inherited colour vision deficiencies.
National Vision Hearing Screening Programme
Early childhood centreT
Three years
- Tympanometry (glue ear)
Four years
- Tympanometry (if not screened at three years)
- Distance vision
- Penlight/cover test
Primary school
Five years
- Tympanometry
- Audiometry (hearing)
- Distance vision
- Penlight/cover tests
Intermediate level
Year 7
- Distance vision (all year sevens)
- Colour vision (boys only)
Client information
- Vision hearing technicians adhere to the Health Information Privacy Code
- SDHB may use this information for data collection - this is done without identifying clients
- Clients have the right to access and/or correct this information by contacting the Service Leader
- All information is stored in accordance with the SDHB’s legal obligations
- SDHB promotes the safety and welfare of children and requires vision hearing technicians to report serious safety concerns for children/young people.
- Consent is obtained before any child is seen on the screening programme
- Families are notified of all results.