Learn about the importance of vision and hearing checks for kids
Our Plano pediatricians encourage parents to bring their children to our office for yearly checkups. As a part of these examinations, our physicians will conduct vision and hearing checks for kids. Good eyesight and hearing are important for child development. If our physicians notice a problem, they may send a child for more specialized screening and tests.
If vision and hearing checks for kids are neglected, children can develop problems
Vision and hearing loss affect child development in a variety of ways.
- Speech and language delays can occur when children miss visual and oral cues.
- Learning problems in school occur due to an inability to read the board or print material. With hearing loss, problems due to misunderstood instructions or unheard explanations can occur.
- The child can experience low self-esteem due to developmental delays or learning differences in school.
- Problems with vision or hearing can interfere with socializing with friends.
Parents can avoid these issues by bringing their children to see our Plano pediatricians for regular vision and hearing checks for kids.
Signs that a child may need additional vision testing
If parents notice any of the following symptoms that can indicate a potential vision issue, they should contact our Plano pediatricians.
- Problems focusing on objects or following objects with the eyes, known as tracking
- Chronic tearing up or redness in the eyes
- Rubbing eyes often
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Problems reading books or the board at school
- Squinting
- Sitting too close to the TV or computer screen or holding books too close to the face
Symptoms of potential pediatric hearing issues
Babies respond differently to sound than older children. Newborns are always screened at birth for hearing, but parents should continue to monitor their babies for signs of hearing loss.
- Failure to start or jump when hearing a loud noise
- Failure to turn the head to follow a sound by age six months
- Inability to recognize parents’ voices by about three months old
- Not imitating sounds by one year of age
In older children, parents should inform the doctor if they notice any of the following problems.
- Delays in speech or speech issues
- Frequently failing to pay attention
- Learning problems
- Failure to respond to their name or questions
- Failure to hear, especially in situations with a lot of background noise
- Requiring high volume levels on the TV, computer or other devices
Vision and hearing checks for kids are an important tool for healthy child development. Contact our Plano pediatricians for an appointment.
