New Product Alert
The New York Times has a review about Lyric, a new hearing aid made by InSound Medical. The Times is a big fan of the product, claiming that Lyric offers much better sound quality than competitors and can be inserted into the ear canal, just four millimeters from the ear drum. It is not considered an implant, but it can be worn 24-hours a day, and the battery will last from one to four months. The device is currently being used by 500 patients through a dozen clinics, but InSound hopes to make Lyric available at over 100 sites by the end of the year.
FAQs from Lyric Web site
Who is a good candidate for Lyric?
Lyric is designed for people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Your ENT physician and audiologist will assess your hearing needs, ear size and shape, medical condition and lifestyle to determine if Lyric is right for you.
Does Lyric require any surgery?
Lyric is NOT a surgically implanted device. It is placed and programmed by your ENT physician and audiologist in the office. No anesthesia is required. The initial sizing and fitting process takes about one hour.
Can I take the Lyric Hearing device out?
Lyric can be self-removed if you require an MRI or need to remove it for any reason prior to visiting your ENT/audiologist office. You will be provided with a removal tool for such purposes.
How long does the Lyric Hearing device last?
Lyric may be worn until it ceases to function or for a maximum of 120 days. Patients should expect to return to their ENT/audiologist office for approximately six 10-minute replacement visits per year. However, individual replacement needs may vary as device longevity is affected by usage patterns, environmental differences and the lifestyle of each patient.
What does Lyric feel like?
Lyric’s exterior is made with a soft material specifically designed to contour to your ear canal. This soft exterior helps make Lyric comfortable to wear. After an initial adjustment period (1-7 days) most patients no longer feel Lyric in their ear.
Can I swim with Lyric?
Lyric is water resistant. You can shower with Lyric, however, swimming and diving under water is not recommended.
Is Lyric safe?
Lyric is the world’s first and only extended wear hearing device and can be worn for up to 120 days at a time. The device has been safely worn in hundreds of clinical research patients since 2001 and was first launched commercially in January of 2007.
What does Lyric cost?
Lyric is a completely different kind of hearing device. It is the only 100% invisible, extended wear device on the market. Lyric is sold on a subscription basis, meaning you will purchase one year of Lyric devices at a time. There is no need for repairs or battery replacement. You will always be guaranteed to have the most advanced Lyric Hearing technology currently available since you will be receiving new Lyric devices throughout the year. Talk with your ENT physician and audiologist to discuss pricing and payment options.
Does the initial evaluation and exam cost anything?
Your audiologist and ENT physician will determine the cost of your visits. There will be a hearing evaluation performed by the audiologist and an ear exam performed by the ENT physician which will have a cost associated with it. Your ENT physician or audiologist can help you determine if your insurance will cover these costs.
Tags: hearing aid, hearing impaired, new product
