Lyric Hearing Aid Review
Phonak Lyric is the world's first and only 100% invisible hearing aid designed to be worn around-the-clock – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Published September 16, 2013
Updated January 18, 2023
Lyric hearing aids promise what so many other hearing aids can’t- a truly invisible and “set and forget” hearing solution.
It sounds like the ideal hearing aid.
But does it work as advertised?
How much does it cost?
What are the pros and cons, and are Lyric wearers happy with it?
In this complete guide, written by an experienced Lyric hearing aid provider, we’ll go over all the above and more, to help you decide if Lyric hearing aids are right for you.
What is the Lyric hearing aid?
Made by Phonak, one of the world’s most respected hearing aid brands, the Lyric hearing aid is a one-of-a-kind extended-wear hearing device.
What is an extended-wear hearing device?
It’s a hearing device that can be worn 24/7, for months at a time, without needing to remove it daily for things like sleeping, bathing, and dealing with batteries, like you would a traditional hearing aid.
It’s a hearing device that (once inserted by a Lyric hearing care professional), can be left alone for months on end, until the battery dies and needs replacing.
How much do Lyric hearing aids cost?
Lyric hearing aids usually cost between $3,000 and $5,000 for a pair.
That cost is in line with the average price for a pair of traditional hearing aids, which is $4600.
But- there’s more to the story.
Lyric hearing aids are sold on a subscription basis, which means that fee of $3,000-$5000 for a pair, has to be paid yearly.
Why?
On average, every 2-3 months, when your battery dies, the entire hearing aid has to be replaced by your hearing care professional.
Your annual subscription fee covers these replacement devices throughout the course of a year.
Lyric hearing aids are not sold any other way- you can’t simply buy a device, use it for 2-3 months, and then buy another device.
You buy an annual subscription, get all the devices necessary during that period, and at the end of the year, you decide whether or not you’d like to renew.
Lyric is typically not covered by health insurance (at least not on a recurring basis), but most hearing care providers do offer financing.
How to get a Lyric hearing aid
To start the process to get a Lyric hearing aid, the first thing you need to do is find a Lyric hearing care provider near you, using this tool.
Before fitting you with your Lyric hearing aids, your provider is going to conduct a thorough examination of your ears and complete a hearing test to ensure you are a candidate.
Profile of a Lyric hearing aid candidate
- Mild to moderately-severe hearing loss
- No ear canal conditions such as growths, skin conditions, ear infections, or extremely thin or dry skin
- No history of radiation therapy to the head or neck
- No middle ear conditions such as tympanic membrane perforation, PE tubes, cholesteatoma, and chronic/recurrent otorrhea
- Not an avid scuba or skydiver
- Sufficient cognitive abilities to understand the device
- No TMJ disorder with otalgia
If you are on prescription anti-coagulation therapy, have an immune disorder or uncontrolled diabetes, or have undergone chemotherapy within the last 6 months, your hearing care provider will request medical clearance from your physician.
If you meet all the above criteria, you can typically begin your trial period with your first devices at that initial consultation appointment, as Lyric providers keep plenty of the devices in stock.
Your hearing care provider will select the correct size for you (see graphic below), and will insert and program your lyric hearing device and instruct you on use.
A Lyric trial period is between 30-45 days, depending on your state, and during this period you can cancel your subscription for a refund if you’re not satisfied.
Some professional fees may apply (paid to your hearing care provider), in the event of a cancellation during your trial period, and this should be discussed with your Lyric hearing care provider.
Pros and cons of Lyric hearing aids
While Lyric hearing aids sound like the ideal hearing aid, you should carefully consider the pros and cons before starting a subscription.
Pros
- Invisible: Lyric is one of the few devices on the market that is truly 100% invisible when worn. In many cases, even if someone looks in your ear very closely to try and see it, they won’t be able to.
- Waterproof (mostly): Lyric can be worn in the shower and you don’t need to be concerned about sweat or moisture damaging it, but it’s not advised to swim with Lyric in.
- Comfortable: The right candidates usually won’t even feel Lyric hearing aids in their ears. Lyric is both antimicrobial and breathable, allowing for a very natural feel.
- Set and forget: Unlike traditional hearing aids, you don’t have to take out Lyric devices daily, nor do you need to change the batteries, or clean them. As an option, you can adjust the volume, using a mini magnetic keychain wand remote if you’d like.
Cons
- Expensive: Unlike most hearing aids that you pay for one time and they last 5-7 years, Lyric’s annual recurring cost of $3000-$5000 is a dealbreaker for many people.
- Not digital: Lyric is an analog hearing aid, which means that your hearing provider can’t “tweak” the sound settings on the computer as much as they can on digital hearing aids, though some people consider this a good thing.
- Not Bluetooth compatible: Many people want Bluetooth hearing aids and enjoy the convenience of streaming phone calls and music to their hearing aids, and adjusting their hearing aids via their phone. This is not possible with Lyric.
- Reliability issues: A device is supposed to last 2-3 months before needing to be changed, but as is evidenced in some of the reviews below, this isn’t always the case.
Lyric hearing aid reviews
Lyric was initially released in 2009, and in the years that followed its release there were pretty widespread complaints of battery life and reliability issues.
The Lyric product has undergone a lot of changes over the years in the areas of reliability, battery life, functionality, and more sizes of units have been released.
As you’ll see in the 300+ comments below, there are raving fans of Lyric hearing aids, and others who gave it a shot but it wasn’t right for them.
We strongly recommend reading through the comments below to get a good consensus on how users feel about their Lyric hearing aids, particularly as they compare to traditional digital hearing aids.
Affordable alternatives to Lyric
Let's face it, at around $3,500 per year for a pair of Lyric hearing aids, on a recurring annual basis, Lyric is just not a practical solution for a lot of people.
The good news is, the same company that makes Lyric, also makes an excellent daily wear device that is invisible, with the primary difference being that you take it out each night, and for bathing.
And, it's way cheaper.
The model is called Phonak Virto Titanium (scroll down to see the titanium model), and it ranges from $3800-$4600 for the pair through ZipHearing.
Conclusion
My personal feeling, having fit Lyric devices to customers, is when Lyric works as it should, it’s magical.
As a hearing care provider, it is incredibly satisfying to have a good Lyric candidate and achieve a good fit, where the user finds them comfortable and loves the sound quality.
It is truly as close to natural hearing and a hearing-aid-free lifestyle as you can get- with no fuss.
If you meet the candidacy criteria above and aren’t dismayed by the high recurring costs, give Lyric a shot!
Have you tried Lyric?
Please share your experience with everyone in the comments below!
Diane
I LOVED these and I wish I could have made them work. I had a couple of battery issues and I had some pain and bleeding when the one in my left ear was removed. Hugh bummer, I wanted these to work. My one week old battery stopped working at a Christmas party I was hosting and I could not hear. I am now wearing an over the ear hearing aid. It is not horrible and hopefully I will get used to it.
I LOVED these and I wish I could have made them work. I had a couple of battery issues and I had some pain and bleeding when the one in my left ear was removed. Hugh bummer, I wanted these to work. My one week old battery stopped working at a Christmas party I was hosting and I could not hear. I am now wearing an over the ear hearing aid. It is not horrible and hopefully I will get used to it.
Van
I have been wearing Lyric for so many years that I forgot when I began doing so, and, yes, there are some cons like whistling sometimes until it adjusts, has to be replaced every 7 to 8 weeks and the worst one being the price! It is just so expensive. I could have bought a nice car for the money I gave for Lyric, but I love having something in my ear at all times to enable me to hear.
I have been wearing Lyric for so many years that I forgot when I began doing so, and, yes, there are some cons like whistling sometimes until it adjusts, has to be replaced every 7 to 8 weeks and the worst one being the price! It is just so expensive. I could have bought a nice car for the money I gave for Lyric, but I love having something in my ear at all times to enable me to hear.
Cole Oehler
Been using lyrics in both ears for 6 or 7 years. In past year they fail much more frequently and need to be replaced in 3 or 4 weeks, not in 2 or 3 months like they used to??? Why? Also, I get a continuous whooshing sound as they fail. They used to be no problem. No
W a continuous problem. Time to change to conventional units??
Hope for some answers. Thanks
Also
Been using lyrics in both ears for 6 or 7 years. In past year they fail much more frequently and need to be replaced in 3 or 4 weeks, not in 2 or 3 months like they used to??? Why? Also, I get a continuous whooshing sound as they fail. They used to be no problem. No
W a continuous problem. Time to change to conventional units??
Hope for some answers. Thanks
Also
Monica
Ive only had lyrics for about 6 months now and although I have had some of the problems mentioned there is NOTHING that compares. The good days far outweigh the bad and I feel its totally worth the money. I had used Starkey ITC for 2 years before getting these and I couldn’t of hated them any more – the feedback and sound quality doesnt even come close to Lyrics, it felt like tree stubs were in my ears at all times, I would get drainage and water build up, and that doesnt even include change the batteries and having to take them out. When i first got fitted with the Lyrics I wanted to cry bc it was like I magically had hearing! However, I honestly feel that the Lyrics would not have worked for me if I never had experienced the Starkeys I also now have the Starkeys for back up when something does go wrong with the Lyric. I highly recommend starting with a regular pair and then moving to the Lyrics. Once you get the Lyrics you do have to give it time.. at least a couple weeks to get used to new sounds and the blockage feeling. It goes away. What gives me the problems is the shower and my left ear, I am going to go up a size the next time I need them replaced and I am hoping it will seal it better so I do not have any problems with that anymore. Everything they say about the Audi is true – they want to really put a smaller one furthest in ear canal as they can. The first couple times I was in terrible pain – like someone said DONT leave the office if you have any pain or ringing. Before my trial was over I asked if I could just put them in myself and they let me! Thank God. (easier than you think to take in and out yourself)When its time for them to be replaced and if I have no ear issues such as wax build up (she will remove any wax build up) she will program them and I pick them up at their front desk at my convenience – no appointment! I am unsure if they have some type of limit on how many replacements you get but in my opinion what would make these ideal and totally worth the money is if they automatically gave you an extra pair to take with you when you change them every couple months.
Ive only had lyrics for about 6 months now and although I have had some of the problems mentioned there is NOTHING that compares. The good days far outweigh the bad and I feel its totally worth the money. I had used Starkey ITC for 2 years before getting these and I couldn’t of hated them any more – the feedback and sound quality doesnt even come close to Lyrics, it felt like tree stubs were in my ears at all times, I would get drainage and water build up, and that doesnt even include change the batteries and having to take them out. When i first got fitted with the Lyrics I wanted to cry bc it was like I magically had hearing! However, I honestly feel that the Lyrics would not have worked for me if I never had experienced the Starkeys I also now have the Starkeys for back up when something does go wrong with the Lyric. I highly recommend starting with a regular pair and then moving to the Lyrics. Once you get the Lyrics you do have to give it time.. at least a couple weeks to get used to new sounds and the blockage feeling. It goes away. What gives me the problems is the shower and my left ear, I am going to go up a size the next time I need them replaced and I am hoping it will seal it better so I do not have any problems with that anymore. Everything they say about the Audi is true – they want to really put a smaller one furthest in ear canal as they can. The first couple times I was in terrible pain – like someone said DONT leave the office if you have any pain or ringing. Before my trial was over I asked if I could just put them in myself and they let me! Thank God. (easier than you think to take in and out yourself)When its time for them to be replaced and if I have no ear issues such as wax build up (she will remove any wax build up) she will program them and I pick them up at their front desk at my convenience – no appointment! I am unsure if they have some type of limit on how many replacements you get but in my opinion what would make these ideal and totally worth the money is if they automatically gave you an extra pair to take with you when you change them every couple months.
.
For several years they were perfect; however, in the most recent years, at least one ear and sometimes both went dead within a few days of purchase. Could they be the subject of new construction? Am reconsidering.
For several years they were perfect; however, in the most recent years, at least one ear and sometimes both went dead within a few days of purchase. Could they be the subject of new construction? Am reconsidering.
Thomas Segalla
The lyric was a total failure. I struggled for 9 months trying to make them work. Never could get them adjusted right. I guess I was not a good candidate from the beginning. I would not recommend them because of this and the $7000.00 expense.
The lyric was a total failure. I struggled for 9 months trying to make them work. Never could get them adjusted right. I guess I was not a good candidate from the beginning. I would not recommend them because of this and the $7000.00 expense.
Jennifer
I have worn Lyrics for 5 years and love them. I like the 24/7 hearing, being able to shower in them, and just the natural feel of them. It’s pricey but worth it to me.
I have worn Lyrics for 5 years and love them. I like the 24/7 hearing, being able to shower in them, and just the natural feel of them. It’s pricey but worth it to me.
Gary
I tried Lyric several years ago and liked the feel and ease of wearing one. However, I had batteries stop working within an hour from leaving the office and many times it stopped within days. The audiologist I was using became frustrated with so many battery failures and said she would need to charge $50 per visit after 5 visits a year. After reading these reviews it does not appear the battery issues have been fixed. I was driving g more than 30 miles to the doctor and being charged for something that was not my fault and spending so much of my time visiting the doctor, became a real issue. I would love to try Lyric again if I could be convinced I will not be spending so much time visiting the doctor.
I tried Lyric several years ago and liked the feel and ease of wearing one. However, I had batteries stop working within an hour from leaving the office and many times it stopped within days. The audiologist I was using became frustrated with so many battery failures and said she would need to charge $50 per visit after 5 visits a year. After reading these reviews it does not appear the battery issues have been fixed. I was driving g more than 30 miles to the doctor and being charged for something that was not my fault and spending so much of my time visiting the doctor, became a real issue. I would love to try Lyric again if I could be convinced I will not be spending so much time visiting the doctor.
nancy
I gave lyrics a try, at the first days I loved them, then my right hearing aid started making a noise, so I removed it ( just the right side). the other day, I felt tingling in my left ear, so I went to the office that I dealt with, so they tried to remove the left one, but they couldn’t !!! I was in so much PAIN, I felt that my eardrum was perforated. I can’t describe the pain that I felt when the man was trying to take lyrics from my left ear. after removing it, the man who named himself a DOCTOR, said there is no blood, just a little bit scratches in my ear and there is no need to go to a physician, and I was told to pass by their office each 2 days to check my ear. he told me to not have shower, avoid water in my ear, don’t put my old hearing aid, don’t try to clean my ear with cotton buds,… . when I came home, my husband used otoscopes to see what was in my ear, then he saws BLOOD! 2 months now and I still have a little pain but the most important that MY HEARING LOSS IS INCREASED in the left ear. should I file a complain against the office?
I gave lyrics a try, at the first days I loved them, then my right hearing aid started making a noise, so I removed it ( just the right side). the other day, I felt tingling in my left ear, so I went to the office that I dealt with, so they tried to remove the left one, but they couldn’t !!! I was in so much PAIN, I felt that my eardrum was perforated. I can’t describe the pain that I felt when the man was trying to take lyrics from my left ear. after removing it, the man who named himself a DOCTOR, said there is no blood, just a little bit scratches in my ear and there is no need to go to a physician, and I was told to pass by their office each 2 days to check my ear. he told me to not have shower, avoid water in my ear, don’t put my old hearing aid, don’t try to clean my ear with cotton buds,… . when I came home, my husband used otoscopes to see what was in my ear, then he saws BLOOD! 2 months now and I still have a little pain but the most important that MY HEARING LOSS IS INCREASED in the left ear. should I file a complain against the office?
Susan
Came upon site while trying to find out why one lyric started whistling.I am in trial period and just as lyrics were settling in and comfortable one started to whistle if I moved my hand near it.
When I removed it I may have pulled too hard as it was like champagne cork and went flying.
My provider is seeing me in a few days and wanted me to remove them before the visit which will fine tune them.i like them..except for the eerie whistle .Like contact lens for the ear
Came upon site while trying to find out why one lyric started whistling.I am in trial period and just as lyrics were settling in and comfortable one started to whistle if I moved my hand near it.
When I removed it I may have pulled too hard as it was like champagne cork and went flying.
My provider is seeing me in a few days and wanted me to remove them before the visit which will fine tune them.i like them..except for the eerie whistle .Like contact lens for the ear
Ron
The battery on the Lyric is elongated as you’ve probably noticed. If it is inserted with the battery in the wrong position in the ear canal I find that can cause some soreness. If you can turn it so the battery is in a different position that may help. My latest two were put in on 9/24. One went dead 12/1 and I replaced it with an extra one I had. So far, so good. The other one is still working fine and it’s now going on 2 1/2 months. Yes, back ground noise in a restaurant or any noisy setting is still a problem with the Lyric. I’ve also noticed issues with music as you have. When my subscription is up this time around I may try something else in spite of how much I like not having to hassle with changing batteries and taking a hearing aid every night. I’ve had Lyrics for over 4 years.
The battery on the Lyric is elongated as you’ve probably noticed. If it is inserted with the battery in the wrong position in the ear canal I find that can cause some soreness. If you can turn it so the battery is in a different position that may help. My latest two were put in on 9/24. One went dead 12/1 and I replaced it with an extra one I had. So far, so good. The other one is still working fine and it’s now going on 2 1/2 months. Yes, back ground noise in a restaurant or any noisy setting is still a problem with the Lyric. I’ve also noticed issues with music as you have. When my subscription is up this time around I may try something else in spite of how much I like not having to hassle with changing batteries and taking a hearing aid every night. I’ve had Lyrics for over 4 years.
Ron
I have not been advised that turning the Lyric to sleep mode or turning them off has any affect on the battery life. I’ve had them die in the office minutes after a new one has been put in. I, too, have removed them and put them back in or used an extra I carry along. Not difficult to do but there is still no excuse for one battery lasting a week or two and another lasting 3-4 months.
I have not been advised that turning the Lyric to sleep mode or turning them off has any affect on the battery life. I’ve had them die in the office minutes after a new one has been put in. I, too, have removed them and put them back in or used an extra I carry along. Not difficult to do but there is still no excuse for one battery lasting a week or two and another lasting 3-4 months.
Gary
I am on my second week trial and had my right ear go dead. I had to remove since I could not get an appointment for another three days. The sound is great but I am not happy with the current situation and the discomfort with taking the dead one out was also somewhat painful and my ear seems sore now. Not a good trail period so far, and if you happen to be in a loud situation such as a restaurant the sound quality is bad due to all the background noise these hearing devices pick up. I also experienced crackling noise in my right earl when listening to music, this may be able to be adjusted or maybe was just a bad device to begin with since it went dead.
I am on my second week trial and had my right ear go dead. I had to remove since I could not get an appointment for another three days. The sound is great but I am not happy with the current situation and the discomfort with taking the dead one out was also somewhat painful and my ear seems sore now. Not a good trail period so far, and if you happen to be in a loud situation such as a restaurant the sound quality is bad due to all the background noise these hearing devices pick up. I also experienced crackling noise in my right earl when listening to music, this may be able to be adjusted or maybe was just a bad device to begin with since it went dead.
Nick Digrosso
I never turn mine off I find that the less sleep mode and other changes you do the longer they last. I schedule mine to be replaced every 6/7 weeks and I remove mine the night before clean my ears and let them “breathe ”
I also keep all my old lyrics and take a few with me on trips; just in case one goes bad ( I ask for the case the new lyrics come in and put old ones in them) They are relatively easy to put in I put dot to top and insert using just my fingers when in I push it to final place using just my pinky . I have also use the tool my doctor uses and a set of Tweezers finger easiest way for me.
I never turn mine off I find that the less sleep mode and other changes you do the longer they last. I schedule mine to be replaced every 6/7 weeks and I remove mine the night before clean my ears and let them “breathe ”
I also keep all my old lyrics and take a few with me on trips; just in case one goes bad ( I ask for the case the new lyrics come in and put old ones in them) They are relatively easy to put in I put dot to top and insert using just my fingers when in I push it to final place using just my pinky . I have also use the tool my doctor uses and a set of Tweezers finger easiest way for me.
Wendy Bath
I have worn the Lyrics for a year now. The most recent pair replaced and only a few days later began constantly whistling; audiologist blamed on poor fit. Replaced and has been fine. This past week the other one began doing the same thing. Basically advised to leave in and see what happens. My contract is up shortly and quite frankly I am not sure if I will renew it. I’m paying good money for defective devices for which my provider really doesn’t offer much good advice. I have a pair of more conventional aids which I may go back to. The recent hassles with them are frustrating me.
I have worn the Lyrics for a year now. The most recent pair replaced and only a few days later began constantly whistling; audiologist blamed on poor fit. Replaced and has been fine. This past week the other one began doing the same thing. Basically advised to leave in and see what happens. My contract is up shortly and quite frankly I am not sure if I will renew it. I’m paying good money for defective devices for which my provider really doesn’t offer much good advice. I have a pair of more conventional aids which I may go back to. The recent hassles with them are frustrating me.
RON
I have been wearing Lyric going on 5 years and have had Tinnitus in both ears since 1990. When I have the Lyric’s turned on it masks the Tinnitus and I can’t hear the ringing. When I put them on “sleep” mode when I go to bed I can hear the ringing. After 28 years I’ve learned to live with the Tinnitus. When I turn just one to “sleep” mode I can hear the ringing in that ear but not the other. I watch very little TV but when I do I can hear the commentary fine with the Lyric’s turned on. I turn them to “sleep” mode or entirely off when I’m around loud machinery as the noise is too loud with them on. In my opinion they are great due to the not having to hassle with taking them our or changing batteries. However, Lyric quality control is still poor and I might get one where the battery lasts 3-4 months and the next time the battery dies in a couple of weeks. That is the most irritating part about the Lyric hearing aids for me to deal with particularly if I’m traveling and one goes out. I can’t always find a Lyric provider to replace one in a remote part of the country so I just take it out and live with poor hearing in one ear until I return home. I just hope they both don’t die when I’m gone.
I have been wearing Lyric going on 5 years and have had Tinnitus in both ears since 1990. When I have the Lyric’s turned on it masks the Tinnitus and I can’t hear the ringing. When I put them on “sleep” mode when I go to bed I can hear the ringing. After 28 years I’ve learned to live with the Tinnitus. When I turn just one to “sleep” mode I can hear the ringing in that ear but not the other. I watch very little TV but when I do I can hear the commentary fine with the Lyric’s turned on. I turn them to “sleep” mode or entirely off when I’m around loud machinery as the noise is too loud with them on. In my opinion they are great due to the not having to hassle with taking them our or changing batteries. However, Lyric quality control is still poor and I might get one where the battery lasts 3-4 months and the next time the battery dies in a couple of weeks. That is the most irritating part about the Lyric hearing aids for me to deal with particularly if I’m traveling and one goes out. I can’t always find a Lyric provider to replace one in a remote part of the country so I just take it out and live with poor hearing in one ear until I return home. I just hope they both don’t die when I’m gone.
Diane
No one is talking about watching TV…this is my primary hearing issue, in addition to tinnitus in one ear. Does the Lyric system assist with either of these problems?
No one is talking about watching TV…this is my primary hearing issue, in addition to tinnitus in one ear. Does the Lyric system assist with either of these problems?