**Background:** The World Health Organization estimates that 1.5 billion people have hearing impairment and 2.2 billion have vision impairment globally, with the highest burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to limited access to healthcare. Approximately 50–60% of these impairments are preventable or correctable, highlighting the importance of periodic screening. Combined hearing and vision screening programs may be more cost-effective and efficient, especially in resource-limited settings, by sharing personnel, equipment, and infrastructure. This scoping review aimed to identify and describe the published evidence for combined hearing and vision screening programs.
**Methods:** A keyword search of three electronic databases (Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science) was conducted on 14 June 2022, yielding 219 unique records. After duplicate removal and eligibility screening, 19 studies were included. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer Manual and PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. Data were extracted on study characteristics, screening tests, facilitators, referral criteria, outcomes, benefits, and challenges. A narrative synthesis was performed.
**Key Results:** The 19 included studies were published between 1974 and 2022. Most studies (63.2%, n=12) were from high-income countries, 31.6% (n=6) from middle-income, and 5.2% (n=1) from low-income countries. The majority (78.9%, n=15) involved children (aged 0–18 years), with 52.6% (n=10) focusing on children aged 3–7 years. Four studies (21.1%) included adults aged 50–93 years. The median sample size was 695 participants. Settings included schools (57.9%, n=11), homes (21.1%, n=4), hospitals (10.5%, n=2), and others. For vision screening, the most common tests were the Tumbling E (18.4%, n=7) and Snellen Chart (15.8%, n=6). Facilitators were most often nurses (47.4%, n=9) and community health workers (CHWs) (31.6%, n=6). Referral criteria varied; for children, a visual acuity of 6/12 (20/40) was most frequently used (n=5). For hearing screening, pure tone audiometry (PTA) was used in 46.9% of tests (n=15), with smartphone/tablet-based PTA accounting for 21.9% (n=7). Nurses (57.9%, n=11) and CHWs (26.3%, n=5) were the most common facilitators. Referral criteria for children typically involved thresholds >25 dB at two or more frequencies. Referral rates were the most commonly reported outcome (52.6%, n=10). For children, vision referral rates ranged from 0.48% to 15.7%, and hearing referral rates from 1.6% to 25.4%. For adults, vision referral rate was 16.8% and hearing referral rate was 69% (only one study each). Follow-up rates were reported in only 22.2% (vision) and 27.8% (hearing) of studies. Test duration and cost were seldom reported. Reported benefits included earlier detection, cost and time efficiency, and positive outcomes with community-based and mHealth-supported programs. Challenges included poor follow-up/loss to follow-up, over-referrals, and equipment management.
**Clinical Implications:** The review highlights that combined hearing and vision screening programs are feasible and can offer benefits such as earlier detection of sensory impairments, improved quality of life, and resource sharing. However, the evidence base is limited, with no randomized controlled trials and few studies from LMICs. The use of mHealth technologies and task-shifting to CHWs shows promise for increasing access in underserved communities. Standardized reporting guidelines are needed to improve comparability and effectiveness. Future research should focus on feasibility and implementation across all age groups, particularly in LMICs, and on developing universal screening protocols.