Three years ago, our office started fitting the Lyric hearing device. This hearing improvement option is completely different from anything else we offer. Lyric is a very small device which is inserted by a trained professional, left in constantly, and replaced every 8-10 weeks, again by a professional.
Lyric has done a lot of national and local marketing and we get calls quite frequently in our office asking about the advantages and disadvantages of this hearing system. We are always very careful to let people know that Lyric is a great option for some people, but not all patients will be able to or even want to wear Lyric. Lyric has the following advantages:
- Completely invisible
- No-hassle hearing—once it’s in, you don’t have to think about it, change batteries or worry about taking it on or off.
- Natural sound. Because it is next to your ear drum, it uses your ear’s anatomy to funnel sound into the ear canal, then amplify it once it’s there.
That solves many of the problems that active hearing aid users often experience. All of that being said, there are some disadvantages as well that need to be considered when making this decision.
- Cost. Lyric is a subscription, not an equipment purchase. You pay a considerable fee every year which includes as many devices as needed (usually 6-8 per year), as well as the office fees for replacing them.
- Comfort. While most people get used to having the device in their ear, if you are sensitive to having something there, you will experience some discomfort.
- Convenience. Sometimes the battery can die before your scheduled replacement, meaning you may have to wait a day or two for replacement.
- Ear size. Those with very small ear canals are unable to wear Lyric.
Lyric is a great option for those who qualify and can afford it. If you are interested in seeing if you are a candidate or would like to consult with an audiologist about options for hearing better, please call our office at 801-770-0801.
