Monthly archive - Blog
You already know about two of Lyric hearing aids’ major benefits: invisibility and extended wear capabilities. But, do you know what about Lyric’s unique design makes those advantages possible?
Lyric is the only 100% invisible hearing aid on the market; it cannot be seen at all from the outside of the ear. Lyric is able to stay out of sight when other in-the-canal hearing aids are still partially visible because our trained professionals size each patient’s ear so that Lyric can be placed more deeply (and further out of sight) than other completely-in-the-canal hearing aids.
In addition to being entirely invisible, Lyric is the world’s only extended wear hearing aid. Users can leave their Lyric hearing devices in for up to four months* to enjoy 24/7 hearing. How can Lyric stay in the ear canal safely for so long? Lyric’s soft seals do more than help make placement in the bony portion of the ear canal comfortable—they keep the seals from pushing too hard against the ear canal’s skin so that blood can flow more smoothly. Furthermore, the seals are breathable to prevent moisture from pooling between the seals and skin. These features help make Lyric hearing devices’ continuous wear benefits possible.
To keep learning about Lyric or to interact with our community, visit and “like” our Lyric Hearing Facebook page! We look forward to seeing you soon!
*Lyric can be worn for up to 120 days at a time. Individual replacement needs may vary.
One of the best parts about Lyric’s hassle-free hearing is never having to buy or replace a hearing aid battery ever again. Lyric is the world’s only extended-wear hearing aid and can stay continuously in the ear canal for up to 120 days*. So, many of our users forget entirely that they are wearing hearing devices at all.
How do Lyric’s batteries last so long? Lyric hearing devices use the ear’s natural anatomy to improve hearing, so they don’t need any power-hungry features such as feedback suppression. But, every patient will experience differences in battery life. How long your Lyric battery lasts will depend on your specific lifestyle and ears.
Lifestyle preferences like whether you turn your hearing aids to SLEEP or OFF mode can make a small difference in Lyric’s battery life. But, moisture and wax buildup are the biggest factors in how long your Lyric hearing aid batteries last. Unlike traditional hearing aids, Lyric is water-resistant and can be worn in the shower.
When your Lyric battery does stop functioning, simply visit your audiologist for a 10-minute replacement visit. You’ll get a new Lyric hearing device, and you’ll even be upgraded to the latest technology if there is one available. Welcome to hassle-free hearing!
*Lyric can be worn for up to 120 days at a time. Individual replacement needs may vary.
I'm a 37-yr old single woman in a high-pressure career where I negotiate with the folks who fund our work. One day, a colleague pulled me aside and indicated that my saying "What?" all the time was frustrating her -- and our clients. The next week, I had an appointment with my audiologist and two days after that with my Lyric provider, Dr. Solodar with Audiological Consultants of Atlanta.
A Lyric was my only option. Hearing aids, even the behind-the-ear-with-the-tiny-clear-tube aids were absolutely unacceptable to me, as I did not want to be viewed as disabled or handicapped by colleagues, and especially by men. I was, and still am, embarrassed to wear hearing aids. To my surprise, the Lyric was, actually, invisible. (Here's a pic of my right ear with the Lyric.)
It took about two weeks, with several visits with the amazing Dr. Solodar, to realize that my left ear wouldn't "take" a Lyric well; the device rubbed a raw spot on my ear canal. However, my right ear had zero problems, so Dr. Solodar removed the left Lyric and let me continue with just the right Lyric. It wasn't until I only wore the one lyric that I realized how much it helped. I'm a new hearing aid user, so I wasn't able to compare the quality of sound to anything other than unaided hearing. Listening through the Lyrics, I needed to get used to not only having something in my ear, but also to hearing sounds a new way. I am now able to hear conversations without saying "What?" all the time and I spend less time trying to hear and more time thinking about what is being said. I had a date last week and didn't have to worry - at ALL - about missing out on our conversation or about his seeing the Lyric. To this day, there is only one person who knows I have a Lyric - my colleague!
- Anonymous (because, after all, I wear a Lyric so people don't know I do!)" [Picture attached.] We are always so encouraged to receive stories like this from our users. If you have a story you'd like to share, we'd be thrilled to hear it! Just email us at facebook@insoundmedical.com. To learn how others have shared their experiences, see more Lyric hearing aid testimonials.
If you haven't treated your hearing loss yet, let's resolve to make 2012 a year of better hearing! It’s a New Year’s resolution worth following through on.
Happy holidays from everyone at Lyric Hearing! We hope you are having a wonderful time with family and friends and are looking forward to 2012.
We were so excited to give a free year of Lyric hearing aids to the winner of our Facebook contest this holiday and wanted to share how you can also give the gift of hearing by partnering with us. Hear the World is a global initiative by Phonak, our parent company, to raise awareness about the importance of hearing and the consequences of hearing loss. Its foundation supports charitable organizations and projects focused on helping people with hearing loss and those close to them, as well as on technical and financial means to prevent hearing loss. In 2011, the foundation has sponsored projects in underprivileged communities from Malawi to Vietnam, offering a range of services from free hearing tests to free hearing devices.
Donate to the Hear the World foundation to give the gift of hearing today! Your gift assists non-profit organizations and projects all over the world to improve the quality of life for people affected by hearing loss! You can also support Hear the World by sharing your own inspirational story to encourage others, purchasing a 2012 calendar whose net proceeds benefit the foundation, or sharing information about hearing loss to raise awareness.
Let’s make 2012 a year of healthy hearing together! Visit the Hear the World website to find out why stars like Julianne Moore, Joey McIntire and Renee Zellweger are excited about the initiative and what they’re doing to help. In the meantime, happy holidays from Lyric Hearing!
One of our patients recently asked, “What do I do if I’m not hearing as clearly as when my Lyrics were first placed?” Our in-house Lyric expert answers the question below:
If you experience a change in hearing, see your hearing healthcare professional. You may not be hearing as clearly because of wax, debris, or something happening with the device itself - all of which can be assessed by your hearing device provider.
If your change in hearing occurred after taking a shower or getting your hearing devices wet, try turning off your Lyrics, then using a hairdryer on the coolest setting to attempt to dry them out. Simply point the hairdryer towards your ears for approximately 20 seconds. Afterward, if the change in hearing continues, make an appointment with your hearing aid provider. He or she will be happy to examine your Lyrics and keep you hearing clearly over the holidays!
Congratulations to Scott from Springville, who has won a free, year-long subscription of Lyric hearing aids! We received a number of compelling entries into our photo contest and Scott’s entry received the most votes before the polls closed at midnight on December 15th, making him our Grand Prize winner!
Lyric is the only completely invisible hearing aid that is also an extended-wear hearing aid—it can be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for up to 120 days at a time*.
(Click the following link to learn more about this revolutionary invisible hearing aid.) We are so excited to give Scott the opportunity to wear the Lyric hearing device free for an entire year and look forward to seeing how these hearing aids might make a difference in his life.
Visit the Lyric Hearing Facebook page to see our other contest entries! Although our current photo contest is over, you can automatically get updates on product news and any future contest opportunities by “liking our page.” We hope to see you online soon!
*Lyric can be worn for up to 120 days at a time. Individual replacement needs may vary.
What Causes Hearing Aid Feedback?
Have you experienced whistling sounds with previous hearing aids? Hearing aid feedback can be due to a variety of reasons, for example, if the microphone transmits vibrations through the hearing device casing, the inner circuitry of a hearing aid has problems, or amplified sound from the hearing aid speaker is picked up by your hearing aid mic and recycled.*
How Does Lyric Reduce Hearing Aid Feedback?
The Lyric hearing device has unique advantages that can reduce feedback. The deep placement of Lyric hearing aids puts the hearing aid receiver closer to the ear drum so less output is required to accommodate the same degree of hearing loss. Lyric also does not have the large vents in traditional hearing aids. This reduces pathways that sound can leak out of. Finally, Lyric requires less high-frequency amplification between 2000-3000 Hz, the range hearing aid feedback most often occurs in. See this page for more information about hearing aid sound quality .
What Should I Do If I Experience Feedback with Lyric Hearing Aids?
If you are experiencing feedback, your Lyric hearing aid provider can help diagnose the problem. In the meantime, try lowering the volume on your hearing device to the point where feedback/screeching subsides. If you must decrease the volume to the point where your ear feels blocked or you cannot hear, remove your hearing devices, then make an appointment with your Lyric provider. Lyric hearing aid specialists have been trained to investigate potential causes of feedback. You’ll be back on your way to better hearing in no time!
* http://www.healthyhearing.com/content/news/Hearing-aids/Fitting/15247-He...
One of the best things about Lyric hearing aids is the natural sound quality. This benefit comes from using the ear’s natural anatomy to improve hearing. The Lyric hearing aid is placed deep in the ear canal, which aside from reducing hearing aid feedback, also helps with background noise.
Because the microphone on a Lyric hearing aid is placed farther inside the ear, Lyric patients are affected less by background noise than patients with traditional hearing aids might be. By working with the ear’s own structure, the Lyric hearing device funnels sound into the ear naturally, resulting in higher hearing device sound quality.
This is great news for Lyric hearing aid wearers who are looking forward to celebrating the holidays with family and friends. Of course, if you ever find that the noise becomes overwhelming in social settings, simply turn down the volume on your Lyric hearing aid. Or, try to position yourself to where the majority of the background noise is physically behind you so you can continue to enjoy the event.
Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Lyric Hearing®!
We are very excited to announce our first-ever Lyric Hearing ® Facebook contest! The contest consists of two parts:
1. Photo Entries: Submit a photo between now and midnight on November 20, 2011, with a caption telling us what you would do with your free Lyric hearing aids.
2. Voting: The photo submission with the highest number of likes between November 21, 2011 and December 15, 2011 wins Lyric hearing aids for both ears for a whole year!
Lyric’s Facebook fans can simply submit a photo of themselves with a caption describing what kind of difference Lyric hearing aids would make in their life before midnight on November 20, 2011. All submissions will open for voting on November 21, 2011 until midnight on December 15, 2011. Once the polls close, the fan whose photo submission has received the highest number of likes will win a free one-year subscription to Lyric! This is a great and easy opportunity for you or someone you know to enjoy the benefits of Lyric hearing aids for a full year – FREE!
Want to strengthen your submission? Make it emotionally compelling! If you’re a current Lyric hearing aid user, this might include sharing how Lyric has already changed your life and how a free subscription will help you continue to do things you weren’t able to do before your Lyric hearing aids. Or, if you’re a prospective Lyric user, tell us how an invisible, extended-wear hearing aid would make a difference in your life! Where would Lyric hearing aids take you that you can’t go now?
The contest is open to current and prospective Lyric users 18 and older who currently reside in the United States. For more information, and to enter, visit our Facebook Page. (Tip: You must “like” the Lyric Hearing page in order to view contest details)
The thought of speaking to someone about their hearing loss can be intimidating. Here are 5 tips that can help:
1. Choose the Right Location: Choose a quiet location free from background noise (1). Private locations where your loved one feels comfortable are a good choice. Talk in a room where there is enough light for the person with hearing loss to see visual clues.
2. Speak Clearly: Stand or sit 3 - 6 feet away from your loved one with hearing loss (2). Make sure he or she can easily see your face, mouth, and gestures. These visual clues will help them understand what is being said. Speak slowly and clearly, but do not exaggerate your words—doing so may distort how they sound and make them even harder to understand.
3. Show Your Love, Respect and Concern: It is often easier for someone to deny their hearing loss than confront themselves. Common reasons include fear of being judged, seen as “disabled,” appearing “weak” or “inferior”, or wearing a hearing aid (3). It may be helpful to portray how common hearing loss (4) is and why it should not be a cause of embarrassment. Also share how much hearing aids have changed to include completely invisible hearing aids like Lyric.
4. Share How Their Hearing Loss Impacts You: The spouse and family of a person with hearing loss often find themselves becoming the “voice” of the hearing loss sufferer in group situations. In severe cases, family members may find themselves increasingly attending social engagements alone as their loved one withdraws. A person’s hearing loss can even put loved ones in danger because they cannot hear cries for help. Resources like those from the Hearing Loss Association of America (5) can further elaborate on how hearing loss affects more than one individual.
5. Communicate the Urgency of Treating Hearing Loss: Various studies have documented links between untreated hearing loss and depression, Alzheimer’s, or declines in cognitive function (6). Stress why it is so important for them to address hearing loss as soon as possible. Video testimonials like those at http://www.lyrichearing.com/lyric-hearing-aid-stories/quality-of-life can help keep the conversation positive by showing how easily people can address hearing loss, and to squash concerns about how a hearing aid might look.
In cases where your loved one still denies a hearing problem, online hearing tests http://www.hearingloss.org/content/hearing-loss-and-relationships or hearing loss symptom checklists http://www.hearingloss.org/content/hearing-loss-and-relationships can be helpful, objective tools to identify a hearing problem. However, you’ve already shown how much you care for your loved one simply by speaking to them about the problem. The conversation may not be easy, but it is necessary.
Share your love by speaking up. Happy end of Audiology Awareness Month!
(1) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hearing-loss/DS00172/DSECTION=coping-an...
(2) http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=117&pid=60&gid=0...
(3) http://www.healthyhearing.com/content/articles/Assistance/Cost/43123-Aar...
(4) http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041426/ns/today-today_health/#44087745 and http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/health/research/08aging.html
(5) http://www.hearingloss.org/content/hearing-loss-and-relationships
(6) http://www.healthyhearing.com/content/news/Assistance/Awareness/47813-He... and http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/649896.html
Are you trying to learn more about Lyric hearing aids? Fortunately, we have a number of ways to learn and interact with us, such as our website and Facebook fan page. Below, find a brief introduction to our resources and how to use them.
The Lyric Hearing® website is a great place to learn more about the Lyric hearing device whether you are a current or prospective user. If you are currently considering the Lyric hearing aid and whether it is right for you, select “FAQ” from the “What is Lyric Hearing” option in the menu bar at the top of the page. You’ll find answers to questions like how Lyric can be completely invisible and what an extended wear hearing aid is. You can watch “Real Lyric Stories” from Lyric hearing aid users, or attend a seminar from one of our providers (listed under the “Lyric News & Events” section). You can also download more information about Lyric hearing aids by filling out the online form here: http://www.lyrichearing.com/what-is-lyric-hearing-aid/request-information.
If you’re already wearing the Lyric hearing device, try the MyLyric FAQs under “My Lyric” in the menu bar to learn what to do if your ear itches, or when you should remove your Lyric. While you’re there, register your hearing aids and get a free SoundLync tool!
Looking for the wisdom of the crowd before deciding to try the Lyric? Want to get more from your existing Lyric hearing devices? Check out our Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/lyrichearing. It’s a great place to put a question out to the Lyric community or to our in-house experts, share your story, and hear about the experiences of other hearing aid users. Watch real user testimonials and see other Lyric hearing aid reviews on our “Testimonials” tab. You can also get automatic Lyric product updates and special Lyric fan offers when you “like” our page.
If you are looking for live support, just call our toll-free customer service number at 1-866-964-8450. Our representatives will be happy to answer common questions about Lyric hearing aids and put you in touch with providers in your area!
October is National Audiology Awareness Month and National Protect Your Hearing Month, which makes it an excellent time to bring awareness an issue that affects approximately 36 million Americans. In fact, hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the United States,* half of all sufferers are under the age of 65** and a recent study*** has even shown that a shocking 1 in 5 teenagers suffers from hearing loss.
Many different factors can contribute to hearing loss aside from aging. Some causes include illness, use of certain medications, ear infection, or inner ear damage from a foreign object (like Q-tips). Prolonged noise exposure to louder volumes or brief exposure to excessive noise can also cause significant damage.
If you have healthy hearing, you can protect yourself from hearing damage. Wear protective devices like ear plugs in noisy situations and turn down the volume of music or the TV. Sounds over 85 decibels are typically "noisy." Normal conversations are ~ 60dB, while hair dryers, blenders and lawnmowers are ~90dB. Average concert, car racing and sporting event volumes stand around 110dB, and fireworks and gun shots are around 140dB****. Wear protection around higher volume levels like these, but aside from protective devices, always avoid putting anything in your ear.
If you think you are already experiencing hearing loss, it could be time to see a doctor. Do you always feel like people are mumbling, frequently find yourself asking people to repeat themselves, perhaps hear vowels clearly but have trouble making out consonants properly, or have difficulty during phone conversations? Have you had trouble understanding people in situations with a lot of background noise, or do you have an easier time understanding male than female voices (high frequency hearing loss)?
If any of the above symptoms apply to you, your next step should be to make an appointment with an audiologist. Or, if these symptoms apply to someone you know, encourage them to do the same. An audiologist is a hearing doctor – he or she can diagnose, evaluate and treat hearing problems. Some of their services include conducting hearing tests and prescribing and fitting hearing aids, like Lyric. They can let you know whether you do have hearing loss and work with you on a solution.
To learn more about Lyric as a hearing solution, request information online at: http://www.lyrichearing.com/what-is-lyric-hearing-aid/request-information. You can also use our website to find your local provider. Lyric providers not only have expertise in fitting Lyric, they also have experience diagnosing hearing problems.
To help raise awareness of hearing health this month, learn more about hearing loss and encourage loved ones to do the same. Visit: http://howsyourhearing.org/awareness.html to see what you can do. Happy National Audiology Awareness Month and National Protect Your Hearing Month!
* http://howsyourhearing.org/FSHearingLoss.pdf
** http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38742752/ns/today-today_health/t/us-teens-...
*** http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38742752/ns/today-today_health/t/us-teens-...
**** http://howsyourhearing.org/FSNIHL.pdf
Have you been noticing hearing problems lately? Has your family suggested that you see a “hearing doctor” (an audiologist)? You may put off visiting an audiologist because you feel your hearing isn’t that bad or because you attach a stigma to hearing aids. But, if you do in fact have hearing damage, it is important to seek treatment right away. Doing so can improve quality of life for your family (so they aren’t always repeating themselves or shouting at you) and protect your mental health. Recent studies have shown a correlation between hearing loss and loss of cognitive function*. Making sure you can hear will allow you to stay more engaged with the world around you and may help preserve your mental acuity in the process. And, because now there is a completely invisible hearing aid on the market, there’s no excuse to avoid a hearing aid for cosmetic reasons.
Once you’ve made the big decision to address your hearing loss, the next major step is to consider forms of treatment. For many people, hearing aids can be an effective solution. However, the multitude of options out there can be overwhelming if you’ve just begun your search. If you or someone you know is feeling this way, the hearing aids overview below may help. We’ve summarized the different types of hearing aids out there, the advantages and disadvantages, and how to know whether a Lyric could be right for you.
DAILY WEAR– This category of hearing aids requires users to remove them at night or during certain activities like telephone conversations, sports or showering.
Behind the ear hearing aids (BTE hearing aids):
These hearing aids hook over the top of your ear and rest behind the ear. BTE hearing aids are the most visible but can treat more types of hearing loss than most other types of hearing aids.
• BTE hearing aids do not require custom molding of the ear and are good for users who do not want to place a device directly into their ears.
• BTE hearing aids come in various shapes and sizes, for example, “traditional,” “open fit” and “receiver in the canal.” Open fit BTE hearing aids tend to be smaller and more streamlined, although they may not be as effective for people with severe hearing loss.
• People with active lifestyles or people would like to wear their hearing aids while using the telephone and headphones may find BTE hearing aids inconvenient.
In the canal hearing aids (ITC hearing aids):
Unlike BTE hearing aids, ITC hearing aids are placed in the ear canal.
• The small size is an advantage, but the proximity of the receiver and microphone can increase the likelihood of feedback.
• “Half shell” and “full shell” refer to specific types of ITC hearing aids. The half-shell hearing aid is smaller and is molded to fit the lower part of the outer ear. The full-shell hearing aid is molded to fit most of the outer ear area and may be more effective for people with severe hearing loss.
Completely in the canal hearing aids (CIC hearing aids):
Unlike BTE and ITC hearing aids, these are placed completely in the canal. These are the least obvious type of daily wear hearing aid and can improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults.
• CIC hearing aids are molded to fit deeper inside the ear than other hearing aids. They the least obvious hearing aids because of where they are placed.
• The microphone of CIC hearing aids resides in the ear canal and the receiver (speaker) is located near the ear drum. Besides improving the aesthetics of the hearing aid, the deeper placement helps simulate how sound enters the ear better than other types of hearing aids can.
EXTENDED WEAR– This category of hearing aids can be worn continuously by the user for 24/7 hearing.
Lyric® hearing aids:
Lyric is the world’s first and only completely invisible, extended-wear hearing aid – it is worn 24/7 for up to four months at a time. It is best suited for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
The Lyric is custom molded to the ear canal and is placed deep in the ear canal by an audiologist. It can be worn continuously for up to 120 days at a time.
• Deep placement allows the outer ear to direct sound into the ear canal naturally, resulting in less feedback and more natural sound quality than other hearing aids.
• Lyric can easily be worn while exercising, showering, using headphones, and talking on the phone.
• Unlike other hearing aids, Lyric is purchased on a subscription basis and does not require users to buy battery replacements.
Top 5 Signs Lyric® is Right for You
1. You Need 24/7 Hearing Aids: You need hearing aids that can perform across different settings and situations, from a noisy restaurant, to the gym, to a concert, or even to the shower!
2. You Want Natural Sound Quality: You want hearing aids that will approximate your natural hearing as much as possible.
3. You Want a 100% Invisible Solution: You value aesthetics – just because you need hearing aids, it doesn’t mean you need people to know you’re wearing one!
4. You Live an Active Lifestyle: You’re always on the go and need hearing aids that can keep up!
5. You Want a “Hassle-Free” Device: You don’t want to deal with costly battery replacements or extra fees to upgrade to the latest technology
* Lin, FR (2011). “Hearing Loss and Cognition Among Older Adults in the United States.” Journal of Gerontology A: Biological and Medical Sciences [epub ahead of print; doi: 10.1093/gerona/glr115].
Are you a Lyric Wearer? Have your Lyric hearing aids made a big impact in your life? If you answered yes to these questions, you could win $2000 by entering the "Life After Lyric Contest." To enter this contest write an essay or submit a Video showing us or telling us something that you can do with Lyric hearing aids that you could never do before Lyric (or with your old hearing aid), or something you enjoy doing now even more with Lyric. To enter, please click here:
http://www.lyrichearing.com/lyric-hearing-stories/mylyricstory/.
Essays must be 500 words or less, and videos must be 3 minutes or less. Contest entries accepted until 8/31/2010. All entries must be from current Lyric wearers in subscription. For full contest rules, please click here: http://www.lyrichearing.com/contestrules.
In celebration of Better Hearing and Speech Month, we are encouraging Baby Boomers and others who may suspect they have hearing loss to have their hearing checked. Since May is dedicated to helping people communicate and raise awareness about hearing and speech disorders, we want to note that hearing tests are the first step to help people who are experiencing hearing loss determine how they can take advantage of today’s technology.
For those who address their hearing loss issues and get help, the changes they experience can be significant.
“Since I have been wearing my Lyric hearing aids, my interactions with people have significantly improved,” said Dana G, Lyric user. “My confidence level has increased because I can hear better and no one knows I am wearing a hearing aid. I enjoy going out in the social world and communicating with people more often now. My Lyrics are totally invisible to those around me.”
“The thing I like best about Lyric is that I’ve been able to return to the activities that I love and enjoy with others. I am able to work in the yard with my family and work up a sweat without having them get ruined,” said Dane Ashworth, Lyric user. “I can play basketball with my son and not have them go flying off. I can ride my motorcycle with my kids and talk with them without making them take their helmets off and without removing mine. With the Lyric, I am able to return to the things I used to do before my hearing declined.”
So, if you suspect you have a hearing loss, get your hearing checked as soon as possible. Why wait? You could be experiencing better hearing without daily hassles and without anyone even knowing you are wearing a hearing aid! To take our online hearing questionnaire click here: http://www.lyrichearing.com/is-lyric-hearing-aid-for-me/do-i-need-a-hear.... To find a Lyric provider near you, click here and enter your zip code in the “find a provider” section: www.lyrichearing.com.
