Question
What is Lyric Self-Replacement and why should I consider it for my patients and my practice?
Answer
To fully understand Lyric Self-Replacement, let’s first recall the basic principles of Lyric hearing. Lyric is an extended wear hearing aid, placed deep in the ear canal where it stays for up to 4 months before it needs to be replaced. Lyric is 100% invisible, hassle-free, and provides 24/7 amplification with tinnitus relief night and day. Lyric device replacements have historically been done by hearing care professionals (HCPs) in the office when needed, often around every 10-12 weeks. Lyric is sold as a subscription with the Authorized Lyric Office, where all of the Lyric devices and associated services for Lyric hearing during that year (up to 8 devices per ear) are covered under the Lyric subscription cost, which is paid to the Authorized Lyric Office.
With that understanding of Lyric, you can imagine that the return visits for device replacement during the Lyric subscription could be challenging for some patients and could reduce profitability for some practices. In fact, the Lyric subscription data from last year showed that 23.7% of patients in the trial canceled for the reason of preferring self-insertion/refit or refit inconvenience. This is why Phonak is thrilled to have received FDA-clearance for the Lyric Self-Replacement procedure – an HCP-led procedure for patients who would feel comfortable replacing their Lyric devices every other time on their own.
Self-replacement is optional and is at the discretion of the HCP.
HCPs remain at the center of care for the Lyric patient by training the patient how to replace devices and continuing to see the patient for ear health checks and dispensing of programmed Lyric devices. The procedure was determine safe and effective during a clinical study which supported the FDA-clearance.
The benefits of embracing this optional procedure are numerous for patients and providers, with both benefitting from the up to 50% fewer visits that are no longer needed when using self-replacement.
Additionally, fewer visits to the HCP give patients flexibility to manage their subscription on their terms and give the HCP more options to meet patient needs. Having the self-replacement device with the patient provides reassurance that they will not be without Lyric hearing. For providers, reducing unscheduled and frequent visits can allow for more control over clinic scheduling and provide peace of mind.
Market research also found that hearing aid owners are twice as likely to purchase Lyric with self-replacement as an option which means offering self-replacement can help grow your business. Coming back to those 23.7% of Lyric trial patients that didn’t move forward, Lyric clinics have a huge opportunity to convert those trial patients to subscription now with self-replacement as an option.
To learn more about Lyric or Lyric Self-Replacement, speak with your Phonak representative or visit Phonak.com.
