Mar 2, 2008
New Startup, Insound Medical, Develops Invisible Hearing Aid
Posted by dmsiggy under Hearing Aids, Industry
A new privately held, venture backed company named Insound Medical has developed a very interesting new “hearing solution” called the Lyric (its funny that they avoid “hearing aid” at all costs- most companies are doing this in one way or another). Developed by ENT physicians and audiologists, this new hearing aid rests very close to the tympanic membrane. No surgery is required for this invisible hearing aid. It’s placement minimizes occlusion (like talking inside of a barrel) and feedback. When the battery dies the device dies- usually about 120 days. The user can control the volume or turn it on and off via a magnetic adjustment tool. The Lyric can fit the ear canals of about 75% of the people out there.
Downsides to this hearing aid: these aids aren’t waterproof, limited frequency range and power, and the pricing information, which is really a subscription based fee, is opaque.
Things I like:
1) invisible hearing device
2)minimizes the effect of sounding like I’m “talking inside of a barrel”
3)new, creative idea from a small company when consolidation seems to be the trend.
4)built with lots of input from hearing impaired users. The device uses analog sound which might prove itself over digital.
5)uses your own ear to naturally draw the sound toward the hearing aid
Who can Wear Lyric?
Mar 5, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. As an audiologist, I spend a great deal of time showing hearing aid users how to use their hearing with their cell phones. I HAVE an iphone and it has not occurred to me a single time they might not be hearing aid compatible . .also happy to see you reviewed Insound . .
Mar 5, 2008 at 8:23 pm
on avoiding the term “hearing aid”. The Oticon Delta was introduced as a “personal communication device”, Phonak’s AUDEO as “personal listening assistant”
Mar 22, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Hi please tell me where can I buy Lyric?
Mar 24, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Hey, you can find a professional that sells the Lyric on their website-
go to http://www.lyrichearing.com and on the top of the page click “Find a Lyric Professional” at the top of the webpage.
It’s worth giving it a try. California law allows me to buy a hearing aid and try them for 30 days- if I don’t like them I can return them no questions asked. Other States have this law as well.