Lyric’s Self-Replacement Option: A Game Changer for Hearing Aid Users

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news for Lyric hearing aid users! 

Phonak, the renowned manufacturer behind Lyric—the world’s only invisible, extended-wear hearing aid—has introduced a groundbreaking self-replacement option for select users. 

This innovative feature aims to make the already convenient Lyric device even more user-friendly and accessible. 

The New Self-Replacement Feature 

Phonak has recently received FDA approval for a self-replacement option for Lyric devices, a feature that has been eagerly anticipated within the audiology community. 

This advancement allows select Lyric users to replace their hearing aids at home, enhancing the device’s convenience and accessibility. 

For the right candidates, this means they no longer need to visit the clinic every six to eight weeks for a replacement. Instead, they can take an extra device home and replace it themselves when needed.  

This is particularly beneficial for patients who travel long distances to reach our office, as it saves them an additional trip. 

Who Is Eligible for Self-Replacement? 

While the self-replacement feature offers significant benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. Given the Lyric device’s placement close to the eardrum, the self-replacement process requires good dexterity and careful attention to detail. 

In the clinic, our professionals use specialized tools and microscopes to ensure the device is correctly positioned, free of feedback, and comfortable for the user. 

Therefore, the best candidates for self-replacement are those with: 

Ensuring Continued Care 

One concern I’ve heard is that patients might forgo regular clinic visits if they can replace their devices at home. However, patients opting for self-replacement are only given one replacement device per ear, ensuring they return to the clinic for their next change. 

This allows us to monitor the health of the ear canal, perform necessary assessments, and ensure the device is functioning optimally. 

Our Commitment to Your Hearing Health 

We were one of the first Lyric providers in Texas. We’ve been fitting Lyric for more than 15 years and have fit thousands of Lyric devices. The whole idea behind Lyric is to have a hearing device that focuses on convenience. It’s also invisible, which is important for many of our patients. 

Worries about changing batteries or recharging the device, changing filters, keeping microphones clear, removing them at night, and so forth are all eliminated with Lyric. So we see a lot of our patients who want to avoid those extra tasks lean into Lyric for its convenience. 

Considerations for Self-Replacement 

Self-replacement is a great option for the right patient. In our office, safety comes first, so that means not every patient will be an ideal candidate for self-replacement. There will be candidacy criteria and training to ensure replacement is done correctly and safely at home. 

Ultimately, it’s up to the hearing care provider to determine if self-replacement is a good fit. If it is, then we are happy to get a Lyric wearer trained and ready to change out Lyrics themselves.