Vision and hearing screening — Otago and Southland

Contact the Vision and hearing team by:

• freephone 0800 885 504
• email visionhearing@southerndhb.govt.nz

Or you can send mail to one of the following addresses.

Otago

Vision and Hearing Technicians
Private Bag 1921
Dunedin 9054

Southland

Vision and Hearing Technicians
PO Box 828
Invercargill 9840

Queenstown

Vision and Hearing Technicians
PO Box 2108
Queenstown 9349

Vision hearing technician offices are based in Invercargill, Dunedin and Queenstown.

You can contact your local Vision hearing team for an appointment as soon as your child turns 4 years old.

Tamariki can be screened at their early learning centre, school or at a free clinic — clinics are by appointment. Contact Vision and hearing screening to arrange an appointment.

Healthy vision and hearing are essential for the learning, growth and development of your tamaiti.

Tamariki vision and hearing continues to develop and may change throughout childhood. It is important to detect any problems early through a vision and hearing screen.

Vision hearing screening is provided by qualified Vision hearing technicians. They provide:

• vision and hearing screening at 4 years old as part of the B4 School Checks
• vision and hearing screening when tamariki start school if they did not have a B4 School Check
• distance vision screening at school year 7.

Vision and hearing screening is not a full assessment of your tamariki. Talk to your main healthcare provider, optometrist or vision hearing technician if you have any concerns about the eyes and ears of your tamaiti.

How vision and hearing is screened

Audiometry — hearing screen

An audiometer with headphones presents a range of sounds. Hearing levels are determined by the responses tamariki give during screening.

Tympanometry — glue ear screen

Tamariki are only screened for glue ear if they do not pass the audiometry test. Tympanometry measures the pressure in the middle ear. This will identify wax, glue ear, grommets, or ruptured eardrum (perforation).

Tamariki may be referred on to their main healthcare provider (GP) for assessment and treatment, or to Audiology services for more tests.

Vision — distance vision screen

Distance vision screening checks how well tamariki can see at a distance by using either a letter matching game or reading an eye chart.

Tamariki may be referred to an optometrist or eye service for further assessment.

You can contact the vision and hearing screening team or B4 School Check nurse or administration for an appointment as soon as your tamaiti turns 4.

The early learning centre or school may organise screening for you. They will ask you to complete a consent form.

Early learning centre and school vision and hearing screening consent form