Working as a dispensing audiologist, part of my job is to keep up with all of the latest improvements and changes to the hearing aids that are available in the market.  It seems that just about every month, one of the hearing aid manufacturers unveils a new product that it says will be "revolutionary" and "change the hearing aid world as we know it".  Sometimes the claims that the hearing aid manufacturers make are a bit of an exaggeration, but recently, a hearing aid has come to the market that really is a "revolutionary" type of idea.  The 'Lyric' made by a company called Insound Medical is a truly different type of hearing aid that has never before been available.  Below I will give an overview of what makes this device so different, and why it very well could "change the hearing aid world as we know it".

 

The Lyric is truly invisible:
When the Lyric is place down in the ear canal it cannot be seen by others.  Many other hearing aids are "nearly invisible" or "virtually invisible", but I think the Lyric actually is.  It can only be seen by someone who pulls on the ear, and looks directly into the ear canal with a bright light and perhaps a magnifying glass.  Quite simply, it is a device that will not be seen by anyone other than your doctor or audiologist.
 
The Lyric is comfortable:
Often I am asked if it is uncomfortable to have the Lyric in the ear twenty four hours a day.  The truth is that the Lyric is surprisingly comfortable.  The electronics of the device are covered by a very soft foam which helps with comfort, but the most important factor for comfort is the depth of the device in the ear canal.  The Lyric is place very deep into the ear canal, and interestingly enough, when we have something that deep in our ears, we really can't feel it very much.  When the device fits the right way, patients report that they can hardly feel that it is there.
 
The Lyric has great sound quality:
The biggest advantage that the Lyric has over other hearing aids in sound quality is again, the depth of the device.  With the microphone fitting so deep into the ear canal, the hearing aid can take advantage of the natural shaping that the outer ear is meant to do.  The shape of the ear naturally enhances certain frequencies, and de-emphasizes other sounds.  We tend to lose most of that natural shaping with other hearing aids because the microphone is not actually down in the ear.  As I have fit people with the Lyric, I have been amazed at their reactions and their comments regarding how "natural" things sound.
 
Unfortunately, there is not one hearing aid that is perfect for everyone.  Every situation is different, and no two hearing losses are exactly alike, but the Lyric is a great solution for many people who experience difficulty with their hearing.  Improvements in hearing technology enable me to help more people hear better than they have in years.  At the Hearing Rehab Center, we have access to all of the different solutions that the hearing aid industry has to offer.  We know that when people come in to see us, we can find the right solution for them.

 

For more information on Lyric Hearing, please click here to visit our website or call any of our locations to set up an appointment for your free evaluation.

**Lyric is currently available in our Arvada, Littleton, and Longmont locations only.