Addressing a Silent Crisis: Mobile Vision & Hearing Screenings Transforming Student Health in New Zealand
New zealand schools are facing a hidden challenge impacting student learning: uncorrected vision and hearing problems. A growing initiative, the Painga Project, is tackling this issue head-on with mobile screening units, revealing startling statistics and offering a pathway to improved educational outcomes for children across the country. This article delves into the project’s findings, its innovative approach, and its ambitious plans to expand access to vital eye and ear care.
The Stark Reality: 20% of Students Affected
Recent screenings conducted by the painga Project have uncovered a significant need. According to project lead, Celia Corson, approximately 20% of children screened require vision or hearing support. This isn’t simply a matter of needing glasses or hearing aids; it’s a basic barrier to learning.
“Children can’t learn if they can’t see or hear,” Corson explains. “No matter how much we change the curriculum,if a child is struggling with these basic sensory needs,they’re likely to disengage from their education.” the numbers paint a clear picture: unaddressed vision and hearing issues contribute to a major failure in “educational health.”
Early Detection is Key: Screening from Six Months Old
the Painga Project utilizes high-tech optometry equipment capable of screening infants as young as six months old. Their youngest referral to date was an 18-month-old, highlighting the importance of early intervention. Early detection allows for timely correction, maximizing a child’s potential during critical developmental stages.
[Image of mobile audiology bus Whina with caption: Working on board Whina. Photo: Supplied]
Beyond Screening: Building a sustainable Support System
The project’s success isn’t solely about identifying problems. Painga Project’s vision screeners are expertly trained by Auckland University, while hearing screeners receive schooling from The Hearing House and other audiology professionals. Though,Corson and her team quickly realized that screening was onyl the first step.
The real challenge lies in establishing a robust,long-term support system to ensure students receive the ongoing care they need. This includes:
* Providing glasses: Children are now supplied with two pairs of glasses, one for school and one for home.
* Addressing resource limitations: Recognizing financial constraints, the project works to ensure access even when families struggle to afford necessary eyewear.
* Preventing ”sharing”: The team is aware that glasses are sometimes shared between siblings, and strives to provide adequate resources to prevent this.
Expanding Reach: 98 Schools in Auckland, 614 Nationwide
Currently, the Painga Project has identified 98 schools in Auckland and 614 schools nationwide that meet their criteria for screening. Corson envisions a future where this mobile screening model becomes the standard practice across all of New Zealand.
A Growing Need: Extending Care to Adults
A recent community health expo in Levin, north of Wellington, revealed a broader need. Corson encountered numerous adults – including teachers and community workers – who admitted they couldn’t afford necessary vision correction.
“We’d offer a free screening, and so many people would say, ‘I can’t see, but I can’t afford glasses,'” Corson recounts.
Painga + Hearing and Vision Clinics: A new Initiative
To address this gap, Corson is spearheading the creation of painga + Hearing and Vision Clinics. These clinics will offer affordable eye care and eyewear, operated by a team of professionals:
* optometrist
* Diagnostic Audiologist
* Wax Nurse
The clinics will be strategically located within existing medical centers and community hubs, accepting referrals from GPs, schools, marae (Māori meeting grounds), and community organizations for both children and adults.
National Expansion: A Phased Approach
Painga Project is actively pursuing expansion,currently in discussions with providers in:
* South Auckland
* Wellington
* Tairāwhiti (East Coast of the North Island)
Future plans include extending services to:
* Hawke’s Bay
* Northland
* Hamilton
* Rotorua
* Palmerston North
* The South Island
“Securing funding has
