Professional FAQs
Is the device digital or analog?
What are the programmable parameters?
What are the contraindications?
What is the device made of?
How is the device programmed?
Who can place the device in the ear?
How often do patients come in for new devices?
How long does sizing, placing and programming Lyric take?
How do patients purchase Lyric?
If a patient wants to swim and/or dive, should the device be taken out first?
What type of hearing loss does Lyric address?
What is the frequency range?
How does cerumen affect the device?
Can patients take the Lyric Hearing Device out?
Can a patient adjust the volume or settings?
How long has Lyric been available?
Is the device digital or analog?
Lyric® is a programmable analog hearing device. Its design and placement reduces feedback and occlusion and allows the natural acoustics of the pinna, concha and ear canal to work normally for improved sound quality while requiring less output. With both the microphone and receiver located deep in the ear canal, sophisticated digital processing is not necessary. The benefit of an analog system is that it provides a clean signal and allows for a long battery life.
What are the programmable parameters?
Lyric has the following five programable parameters:
- Gain/Volume (Vol) -6 settings in 3 dB steps
- Max Volume (set according to user’s needs)
- Low Frequency Cut (LFC) -7 settings, ranging from 200 Hz to 2 kHz
- Soft Level Gain (SLG) -4 settings in 4 dB steps
- High Frequency Boost (HFB)-2 settings: on or off with a 4-7 dB increase at 4.5 kHz
What are the contraindications?
Lyric is not appropriate for all patients. At this time, approximately 50% of patients are contraindicated for the following reasons:
- Degree/configuration of hearing loss
- Lifestyle (e.g., lap swimmers)
- Certain medical conditions (e.g., compromised immune system, bleeding disorders)
- Geometry/anatomy of the ear canal
What is the device made of?
The device consists of a microphone, receiver, sound processing circuitry and battery that are surrounded by biocompatible soft foam seals engineered to contour to the ear canal.
How is the device programmed?
Lyric is programmed using the wireless HandFit® programming system provided by InSound™ Medical.
Who can place the device in the ear?
Lyric can only be placed by Lyric trained hearing professionals.*
At a patient's initial visit, the Lyric trained hearing professional evaluates the ear, sizes for Lyric, and places the device(s). Follow-up visits occur periodically when the device battery is depleted; the hearing professional removes the old device and replaces it with a new device.
How often do patients come in for new devices?
Lyric can be worn for up to 120 days at a time. Patients return to their Lyric trained hearing professional’s office for replacement visits. The frequency of individual replacement needs may vary.
How long does sizing, placing and programming Lyric take?
- Sizing, placing and programming Lyric, along with new patient counseling, takes approximately one hour.
- Device replacement visits take approximately 10 minutes.
How do patients purchase Lyric?
Lyric is purchased through a Lyric-trained hearing professional's office and is sold on a subscription basis. One or two year subscriptions are available.
If a patient wants to swim and/or dive, should the device be taken out first?
Yes, swimming and diving of any kind are not recommended while wearing Lyric due to the amount of water exposure. Additionally, pressure changes experienced in diving also may shift the device and cause discomfort, trauma, and/or feedback.
What type of hearing loss does Lyric address?
Lyric is designed to fit patients with mild to moderately severe hearing loss. The hearing loss may be sensorineural, conductive or mixed as long as there are no other contraindications.
LYRIC FITTING RANGE
≥ 30 dB octave difference or 15 dB inter-octave difference not advised
What is the frequency range?
Lyric operates in the extended frequency range of 200 to 8000 Hz.
How does cerumen affect the device?
Lyric has proprietary mechanical and coating technology designed to help protect the device from moisture and cerumen. When a device is removed, often much of the accumulated cerumen is removed along with it. When a patient is fit with a new device, his/her ear is inspected and cerumen is removed if needed.
Can patients take the Lyric Hearing Device out?
Lyric can be self-removed if necessary. Patients are provided with a removal tool.
Can a patient adjust the volume or settings?
Once Lyric is placed, patients control the volume and settings with the SoundLync™ adjustment tool. The adjustment tool consists of a special magnet that patients can attach to a keychain (the magnet is not much larger than a key).
How long has Lyric been available?
Lyric was launched commercially in January 2007 and has been safely worn by over 5000 patients. Lyric has been extensively studied in hundreds of clinical research patients since 2001.
