The future has never been brighter for effectively addressing and treating hearing loss. The sweeping and ongoing Technology Revolution certainly has meant a burgeoning collateral benefit in the hearing aid technology world-smaller devices with ever-improving sound quality and connectivity are a far cry from hearing aids from only a couple of years ago.
Those with hearing loss now have the option of hearing aids that are 100% invisible. Lyric, made by Phonak, is the world's first and only hearing aid that is completely invisible since the device sits gently and safely inside the ear canal.
"We have offered Lyric since 2009," says Dr. Megan Johnson, doctor of audiology and owner of Johnson Audiology. In fact, Johnson Audiology was the first practice in Tennessee and North Georgia to offer Lyric, and the practices' eleven audiologists-in its five office locations-are all Certified Lyric Professionals. "Lyric is the only 100% invisible hearing aid that can be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for months at a time. Not only is it discreet, it is very low maintenance! It is such an amazing device and has helped so many people," Dr. Johnson continues.
One of those people who has benefited from Lyric is Kim Haney, a longtime patient of Johnson Audiology. "I've worn Lyric for years," says Kim. "I was one of Johnson Audiology's first Lyric patients. Lyric has truly been a life-changing device for me! As a business owner, I am constantly on the go and don't have time to deal with hearing aids that you have to worry with every day. Lyric has allowed me to simply live my life, uninterrupted!"
Lyrics are made of antimicrobial foam and are safe to be worn for weeks at a time, having been approved for extended wear by the FDA in 2007. Dr. Johnson goes on to say that "the batteries are built into the device, so when the Lyric battery dies, the device is removed-usually about every 6 to 8 weeks-in our office by your audiologist and a new device is placed in the ears. This process is quick and easy."
Kim says that she started using Lyric back when it was a new product on the market and has stuck with Lyric because it fits into her lifestyle so well. "When I come in to have the devices replaced, I'm typically in and out in about 15 minutes."
Dr. Johnson also mentions that Lyric continues to refine and improve the device. "They now are available in 7 different sizes, so many of our patients are able to wear and benefit from the devices. To fit a Lyric, we measure the length of the ear canal to ensure the device is in the correct place. We then measure the size of the patient's ear canal. Most patients can be fit with Lyric the same day of their hearing evaluation!"
Dr. Johnson also encourages those who may have been told in the past that they are not a candidate for Lyric to try again. "Lyric has continued to improve. They now offer sizes for very small and very large ear canals and all sizes in between. Also, the sound quality-which was always sharp-continues to improve as technology develops." Kim concurs saying that "one of the advantages I've noticed since becoming a Lyric wearer is how crisp and clear and natural sounds are with my Lyrics. They are comfortable, and I don't even know they are there. I love my hearing aids!"
Lyric allows the wearer to hear at all times of the day and night. Dr. Johnson says, "Some of our patients see Lyric as a way to stay safer. For instance, since Lyric is worn around the clock, wearers are sure to hear a fire alarm in the middle of the night. One of our patients has a wife who has health issues, so he chose Lyric to be sure that he hears his wife if she calls out during the night." Lyric also tends to be an especially attractive option for those who are active and on-the-go since the product is sweat and water resistant. "Many of our patients who enjoy working out or attending water aerobics like Lyric for that very reason," says Dr. Johnson. Plus, the invisibility is key for some. "Many people simply don't want others to know they have hearing aids," Dr. Johnson comments.
"A Lyric wearer even has the control to choose not to hear," says Dr. Johnson. Lyric offers the wearer that flexibility as there is a key chain control known as the SoundLync tool. This is a small magnet that can be kept on a key chain and used to turn off the device or put it into "sleep" mode. Sleep mode allows the user to return to how they were hearing before the devices were ever placed in their ears.
Dr. Johnson encourages those with hearing loss to schedule an appointment with one of the practice's audiologists to have a diagnostic hearing test conducted and to discuss all the options, including Lyric, that would address each patient's individual hearing loss and lifestyle.
Now, more than ever before, hearing loss is not a sentence into a world of silence for most, and increasingly, people are realizing that healthy hearing is a big part of healthy living and are prioritizing it. With today's many options in hearing technology, including new and revolutionary products like Lyric, the future is bright for those with hearing loss!