October Hearing and Vision Tests

The Rotary Club of Greensborough organised a team from the University of Melbourne’s Departments of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Optometry and Vision Sciences to conduct hearing and vision tests for children aged between 3 ½ and 6 years on Saturday 19^th October 2024. These tests, arranged in conjunction with Melbourne City Mission, were conducted at the Kalparrin Centre.

 

More than 100 tests were performed on 54 children by 11University Student testers and 1 supervisor for each discipline. 

Children were drawn from 14 different Kindergartens and Child Care Centers. 27 of the children tested were assessed to be at risk in the vision area and 24 were referred or advised to re test for hearing.

A vital service is offered to children at an important age. 

Hearing disorders are not always detected by parents and it seldom occurs to them that their child might have a hearing impairment as they can lip read. Many conditions, if not treated in time, might lead to a serious condition, perhaps necessitating the eventual use of a hearing aid or resulting in total irreparable deafness. About 25% of children, prior to schooling, suffer a refractive error (squint), long sightedness or short sightedness. The sooner a hearing or vision problem is detected, the earlier a diagnosis can be made which will lead to prompt medical treatment, thus bettering the chances of a successful recovery. It is absolutely vital for a child with a hearing or eye problem to have that problem diagnosed and treated before he or she begins school.

 

The second purpose is that it provides opportunity for University Students to gain experience, in a multi-discipline environment.

 

The Rotary Club of Greensborough has been involved in these sessions for many years and the past few years has had the benefit of help from Melbourne City Mission staff and that has helped us to provide continuity.