Vision screening
Your vision is an indicator of your overall health, which is sometimes linked to diabetes. Many eye conditions in their early stages have no obvious signs or symptoms, so the annual exam is often the only way to detect eye conditions early. For people of all ages, regular vision screenings are important to:
- Ensure children are able to perform and participate to their best ability in school
- Avoid accidents, social isolation and depression
- Allow early treatment and avoid permanent vision loss or blindness
Advanced vision screening
If your provider has recommended a visual evoked potential (VEP) diagnostic test to identify early warning signs of visual problems, Optum has you covered. The VEP test measures the strength of the signal reaching your visual cortex and how fast it gets there. This safe, painless and non-invasive test usually takes about an hour.
Hearing screening
Hearing has an incredible effect on early development, mental health and safety. When caught early, hearing loss is treatable, which is why we recommend annual screenings. Regular testing can help avoid medical, social and personal trauma, especially for young children.
Why getting your hearing check is important
- Hearing loss is the most common cause of delayed speech development and can increase your chances of social isolation and depression if left untreated.
- Hearing loss is directly correlated to more serious diseases like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and dementia.
- Your ability to hear affects education and job opportunities due to impaired communication.
- Because everyone’s hearing is different, it’s important to establish a baseline to measure decline.
- Hearing loss is the most common cause of delayed speech development.
- If untreated, hearing loss can increase your chances of social isolation and depression.
- Hearing loss has been directly correlated to more serious diseases like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and dementia.
- Your ability to hear affects education and job opportunities due to impaired communication.
- Everyone’s hearing is different. It’s important to establish a baseline to measure decline.
Advanced hearing screening
We offer the most advanced screening, called an otoacoustic emission test (OAE), which can diagnose hearing problems in their earliest stages.
The test is performed using a small earphone or probe, which emits sounds into your ear. A healthy ear gives off through vibrations of hair cells when responding to a sound. The process is effortless, and usually takes less than an hour.
To learn more about regular vision and hearing screenings, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Medical care and help
Talk to your primary care physician or child’s pediatrician about doing your regular screenings. You may also get a prescription from one of our audiologists (hearing specialists) or ophthalmologists/optometrists (vision specialists).
To schedule a vision or hearing test for yourself or your child, visit our Providers page.
Contact us if you have any questions.