There has been a surge of new hearing products on the market and sometimes all the information can be confusing. We at Hearing HealthCare Centers get asked multiple times a week to explain the differences between many amplification devices in both our Longmont and Boulder offices. We wanted to take the opportunity to compare the 2 most common devices we are asked about: Audibel’s Invisibel hearing instrument and the Lyric (also known as WOW) hearing device. Of course, there are many more products that can be compared, but these are by far the ones we asked about the most.
What size is it?
Invisibel: Fits deeply into the canal and is 100% invisible.
Lyric (WOW): Fits deeply into the canal and is 100% invisible.
How long can they be worn?
Invisibel: They can be worn all day and removed nightly to promote better ear health.
Lyric (WOW): Once inserted by a hearing professional, they are worn continuously for up to 120 days.
What size battery does it take and how often are they changed?
Invisibel: A size 10 battery that lasts about a week.
Lyric (WOW): A size 10 battery that is never changed.
How are they put in/removed?
Invisibel: They are inserted and removed daily by the patient.
Lyric (WOW): They are placed deep in the canal and removed by a hearing professional.
How many settings do they have?
Invisibel: There can be up to 4 custom settings programmed into the aid.
Lyric (WOW): It has 1 setting that can only be programmed by a hearing professional.
Are they made for each individual?
Invisibel: Yes, they are custom made for each individual’s ear by taking a deep impression of the ear canal.
Lyric (WOW): No, they are an instant fit, one size fits most design.
What is the design?
Invisibel: The electrical components are housed inside a durable custom shell.
Lyric (WOW): The device is made of a foam material for a comfortable fit.
How long will they last?
Invisibel: A patient typically wears custom hearing instruments for 4-7 years.
Lyric (WOW): The unit is replaced when the battery dies and a completely new device is inserted by a hearing professional. The old unit is disposed of and not used again. This happens every 60-120 days.
Is there an additional cost?
Invisibel: No. each set of hearing aids is a one time purchase.
Lyric (WOW): Yes, kind of. Lyric is sold with a one year subscription. Each year there is a significant renewal cost. The WOW is sold as individual units so they will need to be purchased each time the battery runs out, which is typically anytime between 60-120 days.
What hearing loss do they fit?
Invisibel: Fits mild to severe hearing losses.
Lyric (WOW): Fits mild to moderately-severe hearing losses.
Can they be used with ear buds?
Invisibel: Yes, the custom fit allows use of standard ear buds.
Lyric (WOW): The device cannot be used with inserted headsets, ear buds or ear plugs.
Can the volume be changed?
Invisibel: Yes, T2 Remote Control allows the patient to control by using a touch tone phone to change the volume and/or settings.
Lyric (WOW): Yes, a magnetic tool is used to turn the volume up or down.
What kind of technology is it?
Invisibel: The Invisibel uses digital technology which includes: WhistleFree Feedback Cancellation, Active Noise Control, and Automatic Telephone Response features.
Lyric (WOW): The Lyric (WOW) devices utilize analog programmable technology.
We hope this clears up some questions. We know there are many more products to compare and we hope to do so in later articles. We chose to compare these products because we are asked about them so often. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact our office to schedule an appointment. Hearing HealthCare Centers has 2 convenient locations to serve you: Longmont 303.776.8748 and Boulder 303.499.3900.
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