Often it is difficult for a child to know how well he or she should be able to see or hear. As a result, poor eyesight in one eye or poor hearing in one ear is often overlooked by both the child and the parent. An estimated 10 percent of pre-schoolers have a hearing deficit, and five percent have a vision problem. Hearing disorders affect speech development, attention span, and the ability to learn. Delays in recognition and treatment can be devastating to a child s development, social behavior, education, and future.
Prevention is possible when treatment is started early.
The Junior League of the Palm Beaches offers a free vision and hearing screening program. Since that time, over 40,000 children have been screened with at least 4,000 of them being referred to medical specialists for potential vision and hearing problems. Early childhood vision and hearing screening is critical. The Junior League of the Palm Beaches, which works to identify and serve the needs of the community, continues to work to positively impact the community with this program. Please encourage your readers to have their children tested for vision and hearing problems.