“Inaudible” APD = Auditory Processing Disorder To the first large-scale survey

"I can't hear the story in the noise" "It's

hard to hear fast or small voices"

Even if the hearing is normal, I can't select the necessary sounds and stories in a noisy place, and I can't understand "APD (= auditory information processing)" There is a symptom of "disorder)".

A research group made up of experts will start the first large-scale survey of about 5,000 children, mainly in Osaka and the Tokyo metropolitan area, in order to understand the actual number of people with these symptoms.

It has been pointed out that APD = auditory processing disorder is caused by problems with nerve function in the brain, but the detailed cause is unknown and there is no clear cure.

A research group made up of experts will start a survey of about 5,000 elementary and junior high schools and high schools, mainly in Osaka and the Tokyo metropolitan area, from this autumn.

In the survey, we will conduct a questionnaire to children and parents, ask them to answer about 20 questions such as how often they make mistakes and hear back, and find out how many children are suspected of having symptoms. I will.

Overseas, there are various research reports such as that about 3% of school-age children have symptoms, but experts point out that the current situation is that the detailed situation is not known in Japan and the support system is not in place. I am.

Associate Professor Koichi Sakamoto of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Osaka Metropolitan University School of Medicine, who is the representative of the research group, said, "I would like to clarify how many people have APD symptoms and when they appear in children. I feel that it is necessary to put in place a system so that more medical institutions can receive tests and diagnoses. "

What are the symptoms of APD?

Emiho (24), who suffers from APD (auditory processing disorder) symptoms, felt something unusual when he was in high school.

Unexpected words such as "I haven't heard the story" and "I sometimes meet in strange places" were the triggers.

At that time, Mr. Shoho, who did not know the symptoms of APD, said he was confused because he could not understand even if he explained to his friends that he could not hear well.

I visited multiple medical institutions, including an otolaryngologist in my neighborhood, and had a hearing test, but it was said to be normal.

Although I complained to the doctor that I felt uncomfortable, I was told that "sometimes that happens" and "I care too much", and I couldn't make a clear diagnosis.

When Mr. Shoho, who was worried, searched on the Internet etc., the first word he heard was APD = auditory processing disorder.

After that, Mr. Shoho, who was diagnosed with APD, began to try to get to know the symptoms that are difficult for others to understand.

For Mr. Shoho, I reproduced it in the video I posted to see how it actually sounds.

For example, the phrase "Please put your mobile phone in silent mode or turn off the power" is confused by people's voices and the sound of tableware in a lively restaurant.・ ・ Please turn it off. ”He says that he only understands some sounds.

Mr. Shoho said, "It's hard to shop at convenience stores and supermarkets. There are a lot of sounds coming into my ears, and there are a lot of sounds coming in, which makes my head flat. There are many things to do. "

Suspicion of APD First, consult an expert

A series of patients are visiting specialized medical institutions for suspicion of APD symptoms.

At Osaka City University Hospital, the number of patients has increased since last year, and when there are many, there are days when more than 10 people visit each day.

In addition, there are only a limited number of facilities nationwide where detailed inspections can be conducted, and reservations are full until October.

Patients' worries and symptoms such as "It is difficult to hear words in noise" are recorded on the questionnaire, and some of them are "I could not hear the instructions of my boss and made a series of mistakes at work" and "I could not hear the customer's order and was forced to quit. It means that there are also complaints such as "."

Symptoms are conspicuous in teens and twenties, and there are many cases where mistakes are noticed one after another during part-time work or work.

Koichi Sakamoto, an associate professor of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Osaka City University School of Medicine, said, "Many people who complain of symptoms often find it difficult to answer a phone call or make a mistake at work after getting a job. You may be depressed, so please consult an expert first. "

Understanding that does not progress In some cases that led to retirement

In some cases, people may have retired if they do not understand the symptoms of APD at work.

Naomi from Tokyo, who was diagnosed with APD last July, had difficulty hearing from an early age, but her hearing test showed no abnormalities.

Naomi felt something was wrong after she started working.

While dealing with customers at the counter, my boss sometimes gave me verbal instructions and I couldn't hear them.

It is said that he misunderstood "Kagawa" as the destination of the luggage requested by the customer as "Canada" and was pointed out by a colleague.

I told him at work that "sometimes I can't understand even if I hear it as a sound," but he said that he decided to quit his job because it became difficult for him to understand it.

Naomi says, "The awareness of APD is very low, so I'd be very happy if you affirm that it's true, it's not a lie."

First of all, as an opportunity to change your life

Some say that being diagnosed with APD has given them an opportunity to make their daily lives easier.

I'm Ryo (13), a junior high school student from Osaka prefecture.

Kaori, her mother, said that when Ryo was three years old, she sometimes didn't notice it and felt uncomfortable.

At the age of five, I underwent a professional examination at a medical institution, but the result was that there were no particular problems with the growth appropriate for the year.

Even so, when I went to elementary school, I couldn't hear the instructions of my homeroom teacher in the noisy classroom, and I often had a hard time because I couldn't keep up with the group action and the submission was delayed.

This spring, when I visited a doctor who was familiar with the symptoms before going on to junior high school, I was diagnosed with APD for the first time.

Regarding the diagnosis, Kaori says, "I was very convinced that this was the discomfort I had felt so far, and I was relieved."

Ryo also said, "I'm relieved that there are many people who are similar to me because I forget things and move a little slowly." He asked junior high school to understand the symptoms so that he could lead a better school life.

Kaori says, "The symptoms of APD have become more well known, and by coming out that I have that characteristic, more people will talk slowly and clearly, and they will print. I would be grateful if you could give consideration to me. I would be happy if that changed. "

Associate Professor Koichi Sakamoto of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Osaka City University School of Medicine said, "If you suspect a symptom, it is important to make a diagnosis and adjust the environment with the surroundings. Having a diagnosis makes it difficult. I want you to use it as a clue to make it easier to explain and to get support to make your life easier. "