Finding the right hearing aid can be challenging - you want something that works well but is also comfortable and not too noticeable. The Phonak Lyric offers a unique solution as the world's only 100% invisible hearing aid designed to be worn 24/7 for months at a time. This innovative approach to hearing technology provides several advantages over traditional hearing aids, especially for our active patients here in the Texas Hill Country.
What Makes Lyric Different?
Unlike conventional hearing aids that sit behind or on top of the ear, Lyric is placed deep inside the ear canal, making it completely invisible to others. This placement not only hides the device from view but also allows it to use your ear's natural anatomy to provide a more natural listening experience.
Many of our Boerne patients tell us they forget they're even wearing Lyric after the first few days.
Lyric's position in the ear canal offers several unique benefits:
- Complete invisibility: Because it sits deep in the ear canal, no one can see you're wearing a hearing aid
- Natural sound quality: Uses your ear's anatomy to capture sound the way nature intended
- 24/7 convenience: Can be worn during daily activities including showering*, sleeping, and exercising
- No maintenance: No batteries to change or charge, no daily insertion or removal
- Long-term use: Each device can last months at a time before needing replacement
Natural Sound Experience
Traditional hearing aids capture and process sound outside the ear. Lyric works differently by sitting deep inside the ear canal and using the natural anatomy of your ear to provide a full, authentic listening experience.
This placement allows Lyric to take advantage of the ear's natural sound-collecting properties. Your outer ear naturally funnels sound into the ear canal and provides important cues about sound direction. By placing the microphone inside the ear canal rather than behind or on top of the ear, Lyric preserves these natural acoustic benefits.
The result is sound that feels more natural and less processed than traditional hearing aids. Our patients report clearer, more accurate awareness of where sounds are coming from—which is especially important when hiking the trails at Cibolo Nature Center or busy Market Days on Main Street.
24/7 Hearing Without Interruption
One of Lyric's biggest advantages is its ability to be worn continuously for months at a time. This 24/7 approach to hearing offers unique benefits:
- Seamless listening experience: No daily insertion or removal means continuous hearing without interruption
- Wake up hearing: Many hearing aid users remove their devices at night, but with Lyric, you wake up already hearing
- Active lifestyle compatibility: Wear during exercise, though swimming in Boerne Lake isn't recommended
- Shower-ready: Water-resistant design allows for showering* while wearing
- No handling required: Great for those with arthritis or dexterity issues who struggle with tiny batteries or controls
The continuous wear aspect of Lyric means your brain receives consistent sound input, which can help your brain adapt to amplification more easily. This consistent hearing experience can reduce the adjustment period that sometimes occurs with traditional hearing aids.
Perfect for Texas Heat and Humidity
Unlike traditional hearing aids that can be affected by sweat and humidity, Lyric performs exceptionally well in our hot Texas climate. You don't have to worry about taking them off during those 100-degree summer days or when the humidity spikes. Our patients love not having to worry about their hearing aids during outdoor activities at Boerne's numerous festivals and events.
Tinnitus Relief
For many people with hearing loss, that annoying ringing in your ears that keeps you up at night (tinnitus) is also a concern. Lyric has shown promise as a tinnitus management solution due to its 24/7 amplification approach.
Since Lyric can be worn continuously, including during sleep, it helps mask that bothersome ringing all day and night. This round-the-clock approach means tinnitus relief doesn't stop when you go to bed, which is especially helpful for getting a good night's rest.
Cognitive Health Benefits
Research increasingly shows connections between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline. Wearing hearing aids consistently is one way to help maintain brain health.
With Lyric's 24/7 approach, your brain receives continuous exposure to sounds, which may help maintain cognitive function. Studies have shown that hearing intervention for older adults with mild to moderate hearing loss can slow down loss of thinking and memory abilities by 48% over three years.
This "Well-Hearing is Well-Being" approach recognizes that better hearing connects to emotional, cognitive, and physical health. By providing consistent amplification even during sleep, Lyric supports your brain's ongoing processing of sound information.
How the Lyric Subscription Works
Unlike traditional hearing aids that you purchase outright, Lyric is sold through authorized providers on a subscription basis. This unique approach offers several advantages:
- Regular device updates: Receive new devices throughout your subscription
- Quick replacements: Simple in-office procedure takes just minutes
- Technology upgrades: Access to the latest Lyric technology as it becomes available
- No maintenance worries: If a device stops working, simply visit our Boerne office for a replacement
- Predictable costs: Subscription covers all your hearing needs for the duration
The subscription covers one year, including all replacement devices and servicing throughout that period. Each Lyric device lasts for months at a time, with the exact duration varying based on individual ear conditions and environmental factors.
When it's time for a new device, you simply visit our office in Boerne, and we'll remove the current device and fit you with a new one in a procedure that takes just minutes.
Is Lyric Right for You?
While Lyric offers many advantages, it's not for everyone. Lyric works best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. You might not be a good candidate if you:
- Have very small or unusually shaped ear canals
- Have certain medical conditions affecting your ears
- Produce excessive earwax
- Need to have regular MRI scans
- Love swimming (Lyric isn't great for swimming or diving, as complete water immersion can damage the device)
At our practice, we find that about 80% of the patients we evaluate for Lyric are good candidates. Those who are most successful are active people who want to forget about their hearing loss and just live their lives.
Stay Active in Boerne with Lyric
Lyric is particularly popular with our active patients who enjoy Boerne's outdoor lifestyle. Whether you're golfing at Cordillera Ranch, hiking the Hill Country trails, or just want to hear the live music at the outdoor concerts in Main Plaza without fussing with hearing aids, Lyric keeps up with your activities.
Unlike traditional hearing aids, you don't have to worry about:
- Dust from the trails affecting your devices
- Sweat during your morning walks
- Taking them out before showering after a workout
- Adjusting them during dinner out at restaurants
What About Comfort and Ear Issues?
Many patients ask about comfort with a device that stays in your ear canal. If you experience discomfort or itchiness with your Lyric, we can easily remove it and address the issue. Sometimes a simple adjustment or different size resolves the problem. In rare cases where irritation develops, we can remove the device and recommend alternative solutions.
Most people need about a week to fully adjust to Lyric. After that initial adjustment period, most users don't even notice it's there anymore.
The Latest Lyric Technology
The current Lyric 4 model represents significant improvements over previous generations. Lyric 4 is much smaller than earlier versions, making it comfortable for more people. It handles moisture better – which is a big plus in our humid Texas climate – and uses very little power so it lasts for months.
The Fitting Process
Getting fitted with Lyric involves a specialized procedure performed by Dr. Higginbotham. The process includes:
- Comprehensive hearing evaluation: To determine your degree of hearing loss
- Ear canal examination: To ensure your ear canal is suitable for Lyric
- Sizing and placement: Dr. Higginbotham selects the appropriate Lyric size and places it deep in the ear canal using special insertion tools
- Programming: The device is programmed for your specific hearing needs
- Comfort check: Adjustments are made to ensure comfort
- Usage instructions: You'll learn how to adjust settings and what to expect
The entire procedure typically takes less than an hour at our Boerne office. Most users adapt to the sensation of wearing Lyric within a few days.
Why Consider Phonak Lyric?
Phonak Lyric stands apart from other hearing solutions with its invisible design and 24/7 wearability. These features address many common concerns that prevent people from seeking help for their hearing loss:
- Appearance concerns: Complete invisibility means no one needs to know you're wearing hearing aids
- Convenience: No daily insertion/removal or battery changes simplifies your routine
- Natural sound: Placement in the ear canal provides sound quality that feels more authentic
- Consistent hearing: Around-the-clock amplification supports better brain adaptation and tinnitus management
- Hassle-free: No cleaning, maintenance, or battery changes to worry about
Experience Phonak Lyric at Boerne Hearing & Tinnitus
As an authorized Lyric provider, we offer comprehensive Lyric fittings and ongoing care for the duration of your subscription. Our audiologist, Dr. Higginbotham, is a Boerne native who understands the local lifestyle and has helped many Hill Country residents experience better hearing with Lyric technology.
We provide a thorough evaluation and personalized care to ensure you get the most benefit from this innovative hearing solution. If Lyric isn't right for you, we offer a full range of other hearing technology options to meet your needs.
Call us at 830-755-4327 to schedule your Lyric consultation with Dr. Higginbotham at our Boerne office on I-10.
*Individual replacement needs may vary. Water resistance may vary based on individual ear anatomy and cerumen production.
