Overview of “invisible” hearing aid styles
There are four common types of in-the-ear hearing aids that you will find online or at an audiologist.
Invisible In The Canal (IIC) – This tiny style sits inside your ear canal with only a pull tab visible to remove the device.
Completely In Canal (CIC) – The top of the hearing aid is visible to those looking from the side, but the device is very discreet.
In The Canal (ITC) – Comfortable but visible. More easily accessed to change the volume or mode.
ITE – This style is even more accessible and allows for more power and, in some cases, rechargeability and Bluetooth.
Most people who prefer invisible hearing aids will gravitate towards IIC or CIC styles.
Custom-Molded vs. ready-to-wear styles.
In addition to selection, hearing aid wearers will also choose between custom-molded devices and ready-to-wear invisible devices.
Custom-Molded
Custom-molded hearing aids are typically more expensive and may require an additional doctor’s appointment. A hearing professional takes an impression of your ear and sends it to the manufacturer for an actual one-of-one design. Devices created with this method can be more comfortable and sit deeper in the ear canal.
Ready-To-Wear
Many brands now offer IIC devices that do not require a custom mold. These devices have various domes to fit a wide range of ear canals. This method is often less expensive and time-consuming than the custom-mold alternate. Ready-to-wear devices are also more likely to be rechargeable since they fit more uniformly in recharge cases.
Pros and cons of invisible (IIC) hearing aids
Invisible hearing aids come with some obvious benefits but they aren’t for everyone. Here are a few pros and cons to consider:
Invisible hearing aid pros:
Hard to Notice – Here’s the obvious one. Invisible hearing aids are…well invisible. Most styles are unnoticeable unless someone looks in your ear.
Masks and Glasses – Invisible hearing aids sit inside the ear and don’t interfere with masks and glasses.
Convenience – Lyric (listed #2 below) stays in your ear 24 hours a day and doesn’t require battery changes or charging.
Invisible hearing aid cons:
Limited Functionality – The smallest designs come with limited Bluetooth and charging functionality.
Dexterity Challenges – Smaller devices can be frustrating for those with limited dexterity.
Fewer products to choose from – There are fewer invisible hearing aid products to choose from, and typically they come at a slightly higher cost
One more thing…
I started my own search for hearing aids to find something invisible. Ultimately I discovered that my receiver-in-canal hearing aids were far more discreet than I had expected. Most people have no idea I’m wearing hearing aids.
The list below is made up of hearing aids that sit entirely in your ear, BUT if you don’t find what you are looking for, remember that RIC hearing aids can be invisible in many ears. Here’s a picture of me wearing my Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids.
Ok, let’s get to the list. These are the best invisible hearing aids for 2024.
| Hearing Aid | Price / Pair | Style | Bluetooth | Batteries | Warranty | Care Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starkey Genesis AI Custom | $3,198 – $4,498 | Custom-Molded | Some sizes | Disposable (IIC) | 3 years | Local Care |
| Oticon Own | $3,198 – $4,498 | Custom-Molded | Some sizes | Disposable (IIC) | 3 years | Local Care |
| Phonak Lyric | $4,000 / year | Disposable | No | Disposable | Membership | Local Care |
| Signia Silk | $3,198 – $3,998 | Ready Wear | No | Rechargeable | 3 years | Local Care |
| Eargo | $1,450 – $2,998 | Ready Wear | No | Rechargeable | 1-2 years | Over-The-Counter |
| Sony CRE-C10 Hearing Aid | $999 | Ready Wear | No | Disposable | 1 Year | Over-The-Counter |
| MDHearing Mini | $497 | Ready Wear | No | Rechargeable | 1 Year | Over-The-Counter |
Custom-Molded Leaders – Starkey & Oticon
The first couple of brands on our list are custom-molded to your ear canal. Most leading prescription brands (Widex, Phonak, Oticon, Starkey, and ReSound) offer custom-molded products that can be virtually invisible in the ear. These are our two favorites:
Starkey Genesis AI – Starkey Genesis AI is broadly considered the leader among custom-molded products. Starkey’s slightly larger CIC hearing aid comes with Bluetooth streaming (the smallest Bluetooth device in the category).
Oticon Own – Oticon Own comes with intelligent sound processing and an impressively compact IIC. If you’ve worn Oticon in the past, you’ll recognize the open good quality that is the signature of this brand.
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