Phonak introduced Lyric3 with a low-power, deep-ear chip for enhanced signal processing during the AudiologyNOW! 2014 convention in Orlando. The new Lyric generation is designed to bring a more natural hearing experience to users and improved programming flexibility to Lyric providers.
The new Lyric generation is designed with the latest Phonak technology for more natural sound quality and improved programming flexibility.
According to Phonak, Lyric has been unique from its beginning: It is the only hearing aid that is 100% invisible and can be worn 24 hours a day 7 days a week, for months at a time (battery life varies by patient and device use and is subject to individual ear conditions), and without requiring the hassle of changing batteries (see the April 2009 Hearing Review article by Arbogast & Whichard and the August 2010 HR article by Arbogast).
Some of the latest Lyric generation’s benefits reportedly include:
- Next generation low-power, deep-ear chip that enables enhanced adaptive signal processing;
- Adaptive signal and compression processing to provide clean, natural and undistorted sound in a variety of listening situations;
- Expanded gain range with per-patient amplification configuration;
- Ergonomic and easy-to-use programming wand that allows for independent, binaural programming at the ear;
- Improved pre-calc based on NAL and over 14,000 audiograms, and
- New programming options and software interface to provide increased fitting flexibility.
In March 2014, Hearing Review published an article by Sanford et al suggesting the product was attracting more patients who are new to hearing devices— tapping into the 75% of people who have hearing loss but do not want/use hearing devices.
“Lyric is a great addition to each hearing care professional’s portfolio and offers huge business potential,” says Maarten Barmentlo, group vice president of marketing for Phonak. “Addressing a new target audience and achieving outstanding satisfaction rates among patients, the new Lyric offers unique growth and differentiation potential.”
The new Lyric is only 12 mm long and sits completely invisible deep inside the ear canal. It uses the outer ear’s natural anatomy to direct sound to the device, where it is amplified to the eardrum. As a result of Lyric’s placement, users reportedly experience improved directionality and localization, and the majority of Lyric wearers report that the sound quality is very natural. According to a Phonak survey of users who have had the device for at least 30 days, 88% report that communication has improved with friends and family, and 94% would recommend it to friends or loved ones.
“Lyric has been a huge success from the very beginning, and the user satisfaction rates speak for themselves,” says Barmentlo. “Lyric is now fully integrated into the Phonak portfolio, and we have listened intently to our partners and end-users to take this great concept to the next level. We are proud to present the result of these efforts: the latest Phonak technology ensures that Lyric offers not only natural sound quality, but also improved programming flexibility to ensure an enhanced Lyric experience.”
Source: Phonak AG
