Invisible Hearing Aids: Are They Right for You?
· All About Hearing Team
“Invisible” hearing aids are the smallest styles available, sitting deep inside the ear canal where they're barely visible. They can be a good choice for the right person, but they're not suitable for everyone, and there are other discreet options worth knowing about.
What counts as an invisible hearing aid
The two smallest styles are completely-in-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-canal (IIC). Both are usually custom-made to fit inside your ear canal. The NHS describes them as “barely visible”.
The trade-offs
- Not usually for severe hearing loss. The NHS notes these styles aren't usually powerful enough for severe hearing loss.
- Fiddly to handle. Their small size makes them harder to put in, take out and look after, which matters if you have limited dexterity or eyesight.
- Specialist fitting. According to the NHS, some can only be put in and taken out by a specialist.
- Fewer features. Smaller devices have less room for things like larger batteries or wireless features. Check what's included if those matter to you.
Discreet alternatives
If an in-canal style isn't right for you, receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids are a popular middle ground. A small unit sits behind the ear with a thin wire to a speaker in the ear canal. The NHS says they're less visible than behind-the-ear styles and suit most people with hearing loss, though they can be a little more fiddly to use. Our guide to hearing aid types compares all the main styles.
Finding out what suits you
Whether an invisible hearing aid would work depends on your level of hearing loss and the shape of your ear canal, and only a proper hearing test can tell you that. We arrange consultations with a qualified, independent audiologist who isn't tied to one brand, at home or in a clinic. For costs, see hearing aid prices in Ireland.
Source: NHS: hearing aids and implants.
Frequently asked questions
- Are invisible hearing aids really invisible?
- Nearly. Completely-in-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids sit inside the ear canal, and the NHS describes them as barely visible. How hidden they are depends on the shape of your ear canal.
- Who are invisible hearing aids not suitable for?
- According to the NHS, the smallest in-canal styles aren't usually powerful enough for severe hearing loss. They can also be fiddly to handle, so they may not suit people with limited dexterity or eyesight.
- Are there discreet alternatives?
- Yes. Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids have a small part behind the ear and a thin wire to the ear canal, and the NHS says they're less visible than behind-the-ear styles while suiting most levels of hearing loss.
- How do I find out if I can have one?
- Start with a hearing test. An audiologist can check your level of hearing loss and look at your ear canal to see which styles would actually work for you.
Find out which hearing aid suits you
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