Bay County Heath Department Gears Up for 2019-2020 Hearing & Vision Screening

Press Release | September 11, 2019

Bay County Heath Department staff is gearing up for another school year to provide FREE hearing and vision screening to students in all Bay County schools. School screening services are provided by certified technicians  during the school day at the schools.

School screenings detect vision or hearing defects and/or loss as early as possible. The earlier a deficit or loss can be detected the easier it may be to treat. Across the state 10% of vision and 5% of hearing screenings are referred for further medical evaluation. 

Vision screening is completed for Preschool children aged 3-5 and in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th grades. Last year, in Bay County, approximately 6,000 students were screened.

Hearing screening is completed for Preschool children aged 3-5 and in Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grades. Last year, in Bay County, over 4,500 students were screened. The Bay County Health Department also sponsors a Hearing Clinic with the participation of area Otologists. 

In the spring, technicians focus on pre-kindergarten hearing and vision screening in preschools and school district round ups. Schedules will be available in early spring.

Home schooled children can contact the Health Department at (989)895-2045 to schedule the FREE hearing and vision screening. Also, check our website www.baycounty-mi.gov/health for the Vision and Hearing Screening Schedule. 

Parents who do not wish to have their child participate in these screenings should notify the school.