Imagine a hearing aid so tiny that it could fit snugly inside of the curve of your inner ear without anyone even knowing it’s there, and then imagine that without taking it out you could completely submerge your head in water. For most people with hearing loss, this has been a fantasy for years. Now, for the first time ever with the newest technology in hearing aids, it is becoming a reality. Just as other technical devices have gotten smaller over time, hearing aids are only getting tinier and more digitally advanced.
20% of American adults have mild to severe hearing loss, as the population ages to 75, the statistics show that almost half of them are hearing impaired. However, only 1 out of every 5 people who suffer from hearing loss is currently wearing a hearing aid. Some of these people put off getting help simply because they are self conscious about how a hearing aid would look. Others, who are more athletic, might not see how a hearing aid would fit into their lifestyle. These people have now been presented with an entirely invisible choice.
The newest device by Lyric is the very first to be studied in swimmers, and is impossible to detect inside the ear. It sits 1/6 of an inch from the ear drum, and two flanges, and the natural curve of the ear keep it from falling out. It doesn’t need to be taken off in the shower, or during athletic activity, in fact; it doesn’t need to be taken out at all. There is no amplification of background noise, and virtually no feedback. This hearing aid can be worn 24 hours a day, and there is no indication that it is even there.
This device works in the majority of cases, but there are certain exceptions. The Lyric cannot help people with small ear canals, or those with abnormal bone protrusions. It works best for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, and is less useful for those with severe hearing loss. Speak to your audiologist regarding whether or not this might be a new option for you.