Less than 30% of children entering school have received appropriate vision and hearing screening. One out of 10 students will need glasses by the time they enter 1st grade and by the time a child enters 7th grade, four out of 10 will have a vision and/or hearing impairment affecting academic performance. Vision and/or hearing problems left untreated will affect a child’s ability to achieve academic excellence, develop socially, emotionally and connect with peers and educators. The Sight & Hearing Association (SHA) along with the Minnesota Department of Health, recommend screening children in kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th grades. In addition, screenings should be conducted whenever there are parent or teacher concerns.

Founded in 1939, SHA is a nonprofit health organization dedicated to enabling lifetime learning by identifying preventable loss of vision and hearing in children. The National Institutes of Health recognize SHA as a leading resource on proper vision and hearing screening techniques for children. Specially trained health staff will provide professional vision and hearing screenings at your school. Please contact SHA for more information, 651-645-2546, ext. 11.