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Hearing and visionDisclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. Key points to remember
 Back to TopHearing and vision screening for babies - what happens?All babies are checked at birth to see that all is well. Some of your baby's health checks are called ‘screening'. Hearing screening
 In some areas, your child's hearing will be screened at birth as part of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Intervention Programme. This screening will eventually be offered throughout New Zealand. For more information on this programme and why you should have your baby screened, see:
 If your baby passes the hearing screen, it means that at the time of the screen, your baby's hearing was good. It is still possible for some babies who pass their hearing screen to develop a hearing loss later. The checklist on the back of the following leaflet will help you monitor your baby's speech and language skills as they grow. See:
Some babies may need a repeat screen because the earlier screening did not show a strong enough response in one or both ears. For more information about repeat screening, see:
If your baby's hearing screening shows that a further check is needed, your baby will be referred to a hearing specialist (audiologist). For more information about this referral and what help is available if your child is diagnosed with a hearing loss, see:
There is also further information about the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programme at the National Screening Unit website, including a checklist Can your baby hear? (below right).
Vision screening
Your child's eyes should be checked soon after birth for what is known as a ‘red reflex'. Children who have an abnormal reflex are referred to an eye doctor (ophthalmologist).
Some very premature babies need eye examinations when they are in the newborn unit.
Back to TopHearing and vision screening for young children - what happens?Your child's hearing and vision will be discussed with you at various Well Child checks before they turn four years of age.
The eighth and final Well Child check is called the B4 School Check and happens when your child is four years of age.
See the following information on this website:
Hearing
Your child's hearing is screened as part of the B4 School Check. This is usually done by vision and hearing technicians. The results of this screening will be sent to you in the mail or will come home with your child. The information you receive explains the results of the screening and how you can have your child further assessed if needed. If your child doesn't have their hearing screened at four, it's important they have this screening done in their first year at school. This screening picks up most hearing problems.
If your child missed their screening, contact your child's school to make sure the vision hearing technician screens your child on their next visit.
After your child has their hearing checked at four or five they will NOT have their hearing checked again at school, so if you are concerned about your child's hearing, it's important that you visit your family doctor. Your doctor may refer your child to the hospital for an assessment by a hearing specialist (audiologist).
See the section below:
If your child does have a hearing problem, finding out early is good for their learning and development.
Vision
Your child will be screened for lazy-eye (amblyopia) as part of the B4 School Check. This is usually done by vision and hearing technicians. The results of this screening will be sent to you in the mail or will come home with your child. The information you receive explains the results of the screening and how you can have your child further assessed if needed.
 If your child doesn't have their vision screened for lazy-eye (amblyopia) at four, it's important they have this screening done in their first year at school. If your child missed their screening, contact your child's school to make sure the vision hearing technician screens your child on their next visit.
  If you have questions about your child's vision screening, call the Ministry of Health's free 24-hour health advice service, Healthline (0800 611 116) or talk to the vision hearing technician who screened your child, an optometrist, ophthalmologist or your family doctor.
Back to TopHearing and vision screening for older children - what happens?All children should have their distance vision screened when they reach year seven (when they are around 11 or 12 years of age). At the same time, boys should have their colour vision checked. This is because rates of colour vision problems are far greater among boys.
This screening will be carried out at your child's school by vision hearing technicians.
The results of this screening will be sent to you in the mail or will come home with your child.
Back to TopWhat are the signs of a hearing problem?If your child has speech or language difficulties, has trouble following instructions, is easily distracted or has difficulty paying attention in class they may have a hearing problem. These symptoms may vary from time to time.
You can arrange for a full hearing assessment for your child at the audiology department of your local hospital.
A smelly discharge from your child's ear could indicate a serious health problem. You should visit your family doctor immediately if you notice this.
If you notice a discharge from your child's ear, you should take them to see your family doctor. Some areas have mobile children's ear clinics which visit schools and early childhood education centres. If your area has a mobile clinic, you could also talk to the ear nurse specialists who staff these. They are specially trained to diagnose, treat, monitor and refer for children with middle ear problems.
If your child does have a hearing problem, finding it early is good for their learning and development.
You may find other fact sheets on this website useful. They are listed under Where to go for more information.
Back to TopWhat will it cost if my child has a hearing problem?You will not have to pay to have your child's hearing assessed at the hospital audiology clinic. You may need a referral for your child from your family doctor and.there may be a wait before your child is seen. There is likely to be a charge if you visit a local private audiologist.
Support for children with hearing loss or auditory processing disorders is available free of charge. Hearing aids, cochlear implants and other devices for children are provided free.
Back to TopWhat are the signs of a vision problem?If your child:
... this may mean they have a vision problem.
If you are concerned about your child's vision or eyes, it is important that you visit an eye-care professional.
Visiting your hospital eye clinic is free but you may need a letter from your family doctor to get an appointment. You may have to wait before you get an appointment.
There will be a cost to visit your local optometrist. There is some help available for families. (See What will it cost if my child has a vision problem? below).
If your child does have a vision problem, finding it early is good for their learning and development.
Back to TopWhat will it cost if my child has a vision problem? If your child has a vision problem, there is a Spectacles Subsidy which can help with the costs of your child's:
The Subsidy is available for:
For more information about this subsidy:
Back to TopWhere to go for more informationOn this website
NSU (National Screening Unit)
The NSU website provides information about the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programme, including a checklist Can your baby hear?
Website: http://www.nsu.govt.nz/
Plunket
Plunket is New Zealand's leading provider of Well Child and family health services. Plunket programmes aim to support families with young children. To find out about the services Plunket offers, check What we offer on the Plunket website. For your nearest Plunket office, check Plunket in your area on the Plunket website, or look under Plunket in your phone book. Plunket also offers a specialist early childhood health telephone help service. It is available to all families, whanau and caregivers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call PlunketLine free on 0800 933 9220800 933 922 Website: http://www.plunket.org.nz/
Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 30/10/2009
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010
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