Kyle's Story

Kyle D., Mendham, NJ
(Northern Valley ENT)

Born with hearing loss in both ears, I did not so much realize I had it as was taught that I did by my parents, their keen eyes (ears?) recognizing my difficulties and seeking a solution.

My early hearing aids, from the mid 1990’s on, began as clunky behind-the-ear monstrosities that whistled like trains and could scarcely run three days without draining their batteries. As time went on, my hearing aids became smaller in-the-ears and more reliable, and were no longer the first thing a new friend noticed.

Just last fall, my transition from bulky behind-the-ear aids to the unobtrusive Lyrics was complete when I wore them for the first time. The change was instantly noticeable. Whereas I had struggled to hear my father over the noise of a nearby highway on the way to try the Lyrics out as one of the first users of my young age, upon exiting I almost wondered why he was having so much difficulty himself. Since that time, my friends and I have noticed that I comprehend much more of what they say, my “what?”-to-sentence ratio has dropped sharply. Since I rarely need to ask for others to repeat themselves now, I find that my conversations are much more natural and fluid. Furthermore, the Lyrics are essentially unnoticeable, to the point where a friend I met recently did not know I had them in for almost two months, and even then only because I mentioned going to have them replaced!

Lyric has changed my life in several ways, and I certainly hope it has done the same for others. I no longer need worry if I do not find a seat in the front of a classroom in school, I can trust in my hearing aids to allow me to understand my teacher more clearly. This allows me to more easily remember lessons in school, which means I do not have to rely as heavily on my incomprehensibly messy notes! In addition, though it is still a reflex to do so, I no longer need to shift to a position where I can lip-read when talking to a person in a noisy environment. Which can and has created problems on tight subway rides. I find I do not need to watch out a window when waiting for a ride, I can hear the care pull into the driveway, an ability that always mystified me until I began wearing Lyrics. Even approaching a room, I can hear what is spoken inside of it for the first time in my life. Though I have never discovered my friends saying something I would rather forget, I have ironically overheard a conversation my hearing loss!

The Lyric is a wonderful advance in hearing aids, which has altered my life for the better and sure that of many others as well. I am glad to have discovered and tried the Lyric, and look forward to the future of good hearing they promise to provide!

Kyle D

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*Patient testimonials represent the perspective of the individuals interviewed and do not represent any claims made by InSound Medical.