Hearing and Vision Screenings

It’s important to make sure your child can hear and see efficiently, so they can thrive at school and in everyday situations. At Chesterfield Pediatrics in Midlothian, Virginia, the highly skilled pediatric specialists offer hearing and vision screenings to children and teenagers. Call the office to schedule a screening, or use the online booking feature today.

What are hearing and vision screenings?

Hearing and vision screenings at Chesterfield Pediatrics are noninvasive diagnostic tests that allow a pediatrician to determine if your child can see and hear efficiently. These tests detect possible vision or hearing problems and their underlying causes to get them the treatment they need.

When does my child need vision and hearing screenings?

Your child’s pediatrician will complete vision and hearing screenings during well-child checkups, which should be scheduled yearly. You can also schedule vision or hearing screenings whenever your child shows impairment.

For example, they might have difficulty hearing you when you speak or seeing the board in front of their classroom.

What can cause vision and hearing problems?

The causes of vision and hearing problems aren’t always clear. It could be due to genetics, congenital defects, frequent ear infections, or fluid buildup in their ears. Many times, hearing and vision problems are treatable with the right plan. Early detection and treatment are vital to your child’s overall well-being.

What should I expect during vision and hearing screenings?

The Chesterfield Pediatrics team checks your child’s vital signs, completes a physical exam, evaluates your child’s eyes and ears, and completes:

Vision screening

During vision testing, your child’s pediatrician asks them to read letters from an eye chart. They first cover one eye, read the letters from a distance, then cover the other eye and do the same, and finally, read the letters on the eye chart using both eyes.

If your child appears to need glasses or contact lenses, their pediatrician refers them to an optometrist for additional screening.

Hearing screening

A hearing screening at Chesterfield Pediatrics involves your child wearing headphones and raising their hand each time they hear a tone. If they appear to have a hearing impairment, their provider can refer them to an eye, nose, and throat specialist (ENT).

Hearing screenings in newborns are also simple and painless. Babies wear earphones for about 5-10 minutes while lying still or sleeping. The earphones emit clicks or tones into a baby’s ears and measure the response.

What are the standard treatments for vision and hearing problems?

The treatment your child needs for vision or hearing impairment will depend on the type of problem they have, how severe it is, and its cause. They can wear contact lenses or eyeglasses to correct their vision, and a hearing aid can restore hearing loss.

If their hearing impairment results from excess fluid buildup in the ears, they’ll need ear tubes or other treatments to eliminate the excess fluid.

Children with hearing impairment could also benefit from speech therapy, especially younger children.

Call the Chesterfield Pediatrics office or use the online booking feature today to schedule vision and hearing screenings for your child.