There are sounds that children can hear but adults cannot. 37 people in Yamanashi experience the world of high frequencies with “Mushino Ne”
Megane Top Co., Ltd. Press release: August 28, 2025 To Members of the Press There are sounds that children can hear but adults cannot. 37 people in Yamanashi experience the world of high frequencies with “Mushino Ne”
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/96543/235/96543-235-d3a2b19e2947dcfe980f247cfc2373a5-3900×2925.jpg Megane Ichiba holds “Nighttime Insect Encyclopedia” workshops nationwide, teaching children the importance of being able to hear through the sounds of insects. The 12th workshop was held on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Hanabusa Children’s Center (Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture), with 37 children participating. Background to the “Nighttime Insect Sleep Picture Book” Workshop Currently, it is said that more than 10 million people in Japan experience difficulty hearing for some reason. Presbycusis, in particular, causes the loss of hearing for high-pitched sounds as people age. Because presbycusis progresses gradually, it can be difficult for people to notice it themselves. If left untreated, it can lead to problems such as difficulty communicating with others. As a company that sells hearing aids, Megane Ichiba hopes to help with this issue by creating the booklet “Nighttime Insect Sleep Picture Book.” This booklet* aims to raise awareness of the importance of changes in hearing comprehension that occur with age and can be difficult to notice on one’s own. It allows users to conduct a simple “hearing check” using the camera function on a smartphone or other device while enjoying the sounds of insects. *Currently available in the digital version only To raise awareness of these “changes in hearing comprehension” among more people, we have been holding workshops using the insect sounds featured in “Nighttime Insect Picture Book” at libraries, museums, children’s centers, and other locations nationwide since 2022. This workshop features a program that allows adults and children to learn about sound and how the ear works in a fun way. Participants can experience individual differences in hearing, conduct sound vibration experiments that visualize the principles of sound transmission, and play a game to distinguish between insect sounds. ▼The special website features an electronic version of “Nighttime Insect Picture Book,” where you can listen to the sounds of various insects. “Nighttime Insect Picture Book” special website |
https://www.meganetop.co.jp/mushinone/ Event report Sound vibration experiment In an experiment in which black plastic was placed over a bowl and salt was sprinkled on it, the salt vibrated when sound was played, visualizing the propagation of sound. Children observed how the salt vibrated in time with the sound of a dog barking or a phone ringing, experiencing how the way the salt vibrated differed depending on the volume and type of sound. When the phone rang, which caused the salt to move most vigorously, there was a particularly loud cheer.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/96543/235/96543-235-0b9d44885f1a84a1979b8171c6123260-3900×2925.jpg Bug onomatopoeia In one workshop, participants were asked to freely express the sounds of seven different insects, including field crickets, while listening to them. One participant described the sound of a cricket as “ring-ring,” adding, “I’ve heard that sound near my house.” At one point, all the participants joined together to imitate the sound of a bush cricket, buzzing “zeeee.” They were all very engaged in the workshop.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/96543/235/96543-235-9e189b1237b29f1f10dc6fdd7fab1dfb-3900×2925.jpg Bug Quiz In the quiz, participants used the insect sounds they expressed using insect onomatopoeia as clues, and worked together with their friends and teachers to come up with answers. When a
grasshopper, whose high-pitched call adults cannot hear, was played, some participants looked puzzled and asked, “Can’t you hear it?”, suggesting that their interest in hearing has grown.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/96543/235/96543-235-e8d70d0c87f962da9bf95ff210f9f632-3900×2925.jpg About Future Activities In addition to activities within Shizuoka Prefecture, where Megane Ichiba’s headquarters are located, we are also planning to hold workshops outside the prefecture and hold panel exhibitions for “Night Bugs’ Sleep Picture Book.” In accordance with our corporate philosophy of “bringing happiness to everyone involved and creating smiles,” we will continue to support people’s health and lifestyles and sincerely address various social issues. ▼Contact information for workshop inquiries Email: pr@meganetop.co.jp Contact: Megane Ichiba, Public Relations Officer, Kakemoto Megane Top Co., Ltd. Address: 8-6 Denma-cho, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City Representative: President and CEO, Tomizawa Masahiro Established: May 1980 Capital: 100 million yen (as of the end of March 2025) Business: Sales of glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and other related products Number of stores: 1,035 in Japan, 23 overseas (Megane Top Group total, as of the end of March 2024) Number of employees: 5,201 (as of the end of March 2025) Corporate website: https://www.meganetop.co.jp Meganeichiba official website: https://www.meganeichiba.jp Customer Inquiries Megane Top Co., Ltd. Customer Service Center Toll-free number: 0120-818-828 (Reception hours: 9:00-18:00) *Megane Ichiba, ALOOK, Lens Style, and Lens Direct are group stores of Megane Top Co., Ltd. For more information about this release
