Invisible hearing aids are devices so little, they fit into your ear canal and are hardly noticeable.
The best invisible hearing aids range from about $300 per pair for basic devices to more than $7,000 for prescription pairs.
We love Eargo, MDHearing, and Audien for inexpensive OTC invisible hearing aids.
With invisible hearing aids, you run the risk of short battery life, feedback issues, and devices that have less advanced features.
1,000+ Hours of Research
20 Brands Considered
25 Experts Consulted
Table of Contents
If the look of a stereotypical behind-the-ear hearing aid is preventing you from trying hearing aids, you may want to check out invisible hearing aids. No, they’re not magic, but they are so teeny tiny that they fit into your ear canal and are very hard to see.
These little devices often can’t house the large number of features that bigger models can, but if your audiologist says invisible hearing aids could work well for you, we have some brands in mind. We tested invisible hearing aids from 18 companies and chose six models we thought looked completely hidden and worked exceptionally well.
Only appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss
Price per pair ranges from $799–$2,699
Pros
Water resistance available in the 7
Different invisible models to choose from
Two-year warranty on the 7
Cons
No Bluetooth-streaming in the invisible models
The 7 has the shortest rechargeable battery life of all three models
Why Eargo has the best selection of invisible hearing aids
Eargo is known for its invisible over-the-counter hearing aids. When fully inserted, our testers said no one noticed they were wearing them. Eargo devices also include automatic sound adjustments, Bluetooth connectivity to an app, and water resistance.
Eargo features
Hearing aid style: Completely-in-canal and earbud-style
Bluetooth capabilities: Yes, LINK by Eargo offers Bluetooth phone/music streaming
Warranty and trial period: One- to two-year manufacturer’s warranty and 45-day, risk-free trial period
What you should know about Eargo
The Eargo SE and 7 are all tiny cylinders with petal-style tips, and the LINK by Eargo is an earbud-style design. All three are self-fitting hearing aids, which means the Eargo app uses a quick hearing screening to adjust the devices to your results when you set them up for the first time.
The SE and 7 do have different levels of sound technology. All models have four preset listening profiles to choose from, but the 7 uses a feature called Sound Adjust, which changes the amplification of speech and suppression of background noise depending on your environment. As you move up from the LINK by Eargo to the 7, you also get increasing water and sweat resistance levels. This is a great feature for people who enjoy exercising or working outside.
The Eargo 7 is so small that it was hard for our tester to take a photo of it.
Eargo hearing aids come with lifetime remote audiology support at no extra charge. Most hearing care clinics that sell prescription devices don’t offer this length of service.
We visited a Victra-Verizon store where Eargo devices are sold to see how much the staff knew about the hearing aids they sold. Our secret shopper found the salesperson knowledgeable and helpful with both the hearing aids and the app.
Customer satisfaction and reviews
Eargo has the highest BBB customer rating of any OTC device we’ve tested, at 4.44 out of 5 stars from 273 reviews. Similar to MDHearing, the majority of reviews reflected a great experience with customer service and the improved quality of life that often comes with better hearing.
Still, some people have had poor sound quality, difficulty pairing their hearing aids with the app, and devices that don’t hold a charge. However, most reviewers are happy with their devices and especially like the comfortable fit.
If you can afford to pay more for an invisible OTC hearing aid, Eargo offers a quality device with advanced sound technology and excellent customer service. Learn more in our Eargo hearing aid review.
MD Hearing NEO: Best for Ongoing Care
MD Hearing NEO
Free remote audiology care for as long as you own the hearing aids
Only appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss
Two models to choose from
Price per pair: $297-$497
Pros
Very affordable
Impressive remote audiology support
18 hours of charge on the Neo XS
Cons
No Bluetooth streaming
Very little advanced features
Why MDHearing is the best for ongoing care
MDHearing is by far the most affordable hearing aid option when shopping for an in-the-canal OTC device. The offerings are basic—there isn’t even an accompanying app—but for someone who doesn’t care about the bells and whistles as much as the price, this brand could be your top contender.
MDHearing features
Hearing aid style: Completely-in-canal
Bluetooth capabilities: No
Warranty and trial period: One-year manufacturer’s warranty and 45-day, risk-free trial period
What you should know about MDHearing
MDHearing offers two nearly invisible hearing aids, NEO and NEO XS. The NEO XS is the brand’s smallest rechargeable hearing aid, featuring enhanced noise reduction and a comfortable design.
As with all OTC hearing aids, they are appropriate for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. This brand is by far the most affordable option when shopping for an in-the-canal hearing aid because the devices are often deeply discounted.
Our testers placed the MDHearing NEO XS next to a quarter for size comparison.
MDHearing delivers on budget-friendliness in two ways. First, the purchase price is about $1,300 below the average price of OTC hearing aids based on our market research. Second, the company’s founder and CEO, Doug Breaker, has worked to increase Medicare coverage for MDHearing products in order to make them even more affordable.
“Over 4 million Medicare Advantage members can now use their OTC supplemental benefits to buy MDHearing’s hearing aids. The process is simple: They simply go to their OTC supplemental catalog and use their OTC dollars to buy our hearing aids. We’re super excited about it because seniors have this money through Medicare Advantage, and this is a great way for them to get affordable hearing aids.”—Doug Breaker, CEO of MDHearing
In addition to the low price, we’re impressed with the remote audiology care this company offers, which lasts for as long as you own the hearing aids. Before purchasing, you can even take a free online hearing test on the MDHearing website and consult an audiologist online at no charge. That’s something not all hearing aid companies offer, and we appreciate the extra care and value offered by MDHearing.
The rechargeable battery that comes with the NEO lasts longer (17–18 hours) than the Eargo brand’s more expensive hearing aids, which last only 16 hours. You can choose between nine volume levels using a button on the hearing aid. The NEO also includes standard hearing aid features, like feedback suppression (to reduce whistling) and digital noise reduction (to lower background noise).
The NEO XS is MDHearing’s smallest hearing aid. Its rechargeable battery lasts 18+ hours, and the device has feedback cancellation, background noise reduction, and four sound settings.
Customer satisfaction and reviews
MDHearing has a customer rating of 3.71 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) from 121 reviews. Most customers are happy with the level of care they receive from the company’s customer support team, but some people have had issues with devices that stop working after a few months. Rachel Magann Faivre, AuD, owner of Oklahoma City-based Ash Audiology, also noted how, in her experience, some MDHearing hearing aids have had issues with feedback.
Another drawback to consider is the NEO only has one listening setting. The NEO XS has four but lacks features when compared to other OTC brands.
Testers say the NEO XS is an “intuitive” device and appreciate its comfort and small size. Others note the device has basic features, and proper placement can be tricky.
While it’s more basic than higher-end hearing aids, if you have mild or moderate hearing loss and need a device that costs hundreds less than other brands, MDHearing may be a good choice. Learn more in our MDHearing review.
Audien: Best Value
Audien Atom
The lowest price of any rechargeable hearing aid
Choose from discreet in-the-ear or behind-the-ear options
Convenient universal fit, can wear in either ear UV light sterilization in the charging case
Price per pair: $189-$289
Pros
Bluetooth streaming and app controls available in Ion Pro
Competitive pricing
Cons
UV cleaning case only available in Atom Pro 2
Least expensive models didn’t do well in our testing
Why Audien is the best value
Audien Atom series is an affordable OTC brand for people who want a nearly invisible hearing aid with simple features and advanced background noise cancellation. If you want a real bargain, the Audien 2 is under $200 per pair, but we’d prefer to spend a little more for the Pro series, which performed much better in our testing.
Audien features
Hearing aid style: Completely in-canal and behind-the-ear options
Bluetooth capabilities: No
Warranty and trial period: One-year manufacturer’s warranty and 45-day, risk-free trial period
What you should know about Audien
Of the invisible Audien models we tested, we like the Atom Pro 2 the best. The Pro 2 is supposed to be significantly smaller than the Atom 2, but as you can see in the size comparison image below, our testers had a very hard time telling the difference.
Though the Atom 2 and Atom Pro 2 don’t have Bluetooth streaming or advanced features, they come with a UV light sanitizing case, and the hearing aids can be worn in either ear, which is convenient when you want to pop them in quickly. Plus, we were impressed that the Pro 2 is a rechargeable hearing aid, which is tough to find in such a small size.
The Atom 2 is $189 a pair, the Atom Pro 2 is $289, and the Ion costs $489. The Ion Pro is the most expensive model at $689. The Atom starts at $99 per paid, but based on our testing, we don’t recommend them.
The Audien Atom 2 (top) and Pro 2 (bottom) next to each other for a size comparison. Our testers could not tell the difference in size, though the Pro 2 is advertised as being smaller than the Atom 2.
A few things to remember with the more affordable price point is that the hearing aids are not water resistant and don’t offer low-battery warnings while in the ear. To find out how much battery power remains, you need to insert them into the charging case. You’ll also make adjustments using buttons on the hearing aids rather than an app.
When you purchase Audien hearing aids, you’re covered by a 45-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them and then return them if they’re not a fit. While there is no post-purchase audiology support, the customer service team can assist you with questions or concerns via phone and web chat. You can learn more in our Audien hearing aid review.
Best invisible prescription hearing aids
Phonak Lyric
Phonak Lyric
Smallest invisible hearing aid on the market
Placed by a hearing professional and worn for months at a time
Appropriate for mild to moderately severe hearing loss
Price per pair: $2,000–$7,000
Pros
Most invisible model available on the market
Strong sound quality
No maintenance required
Cons
Must be inserted by an audiologist
Not everyone is comfortable with a device you cannot remove
No Bluetooth streaming
Why we like Phonak’s invisible hearing aids
Because these hearing aids are placed into your canal by an audiologist, it’s impossible to see the Phonak Lyric. It’s so tiny, you may even forget you’re wearing it. At less than half an inch long, the Lyric is by far the smallest invisible hearing aid on the market.
Phonak features
Hearing aid style: Invisible-in-canal
Bluetooth capabilities: No
Warranty and trial period: Depends on the hearing clinic where you purchase the hearing aids
What you should know about Phonak
Unlike other hearing aids taken out of your ears at night for cleaning and charging, your audiologist or hearing professional will insert the Lyric deep into your ear canal, where it will stay in place for about one to four months at a time. Replacing the Lyric with a new one only requires a 10-minute appointment. Audiologists say this model is an excellent choice for anyone with dexterity issues or dementia since it requires no maintenance.
Because it sits so far in your ear canal, you can wear headphones or earbuds for listening to music without even thinking about your hearing aids. It comes in seven sizes, so your hearing professional can find the right fit for your ear canals.
This model is so small it doesn’t have room to include Bluetooth technology, so you can’t adjust it with an app. But your audiologist can make remote adjustments, or you can buy a remote that works with your Lyric to adjust the volume and settings.
The Lyric is more expensive than some other prescription devices because you will need to have it replaced periodically. Your audiologist will determine when your Lyric needs to be replaced based on ear wax production, skin sensitivity, and how much water comes in contact with the hearing aids.
But the time commitment is about the same compared to other prescription devices, because hearing professionals recommend regular checkups for cleaning and maintenance. The Lyric is maintenance-free, so you can skip those appointments, but routine visits for a new Lyric will replace them.
Customer satisfaction and reviews
Phonak has a BBB customer rating of 2.11 out of 5 stars from just nine reviews. Keep in mind it can be difficult to get an accurate picture of customer satisfaction with prescription hearing aid brands from third-party reviews. That’s because all prescription hearing aid manufacturers sell only through hearing care clinics they’ve negotiated a partnership with. This means reviews about customer service are most likely referring to the hearing care clinic where the reviewer bought the hearing aids, rather than the hearing aid company itself.
Still, reviews like those on BBB can give us insight into device quality and the problems customers face when their hearing aids need to be mailed to the company for repairs. With Phonak, we’ve seen issues with lengthy repair times and problems with the app. But Phonak responds to every BBB review (both positive and negative), which is a good sign the brand cares about the customer experience. For convenience and a completely discreet look and feel, the Phonak Lyric is our top choice. Go to the Phonak website for a list of hearing clinics in your area that carry the Lyric.
Less expensive than some similar prescription devices
High quality sound processing
Price per pair: $1,000–$7,000
Pros
48 processing channels
Automatically adjusts to your environment
Competitive pricing for a prescription device
Cons
Not customized to your ear canal like other Rx devices
Only appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss
Why we like Signia’s invisible hearing aids
The Signia Silk X is a tiny hearing aid with excellent prescription-level sound processing. It’s less expensive than most other in-ear prescription devices because it comes with four sizes and shapes of tips, rather than the custom ear molds that many in-ear devices use. Your audiologist can help you find the best tip for the most comfortable fit.
Signia features
Hearing aid style: Completely-in-canal
Bluetooth capabilities: Yes (only for making adjustments with the app; no streaming)
Warranty and trial period: Depends on the hearing clinic where you purchase the hearing aids
What you should know about Signia
Signia has six customizable listening programs and 48 processing channels. You can adjust the volume and settings using either the Signia app or a small remote control. And, with most prescription devices, your audiologist can adjust your hearing aids remotely.
Directional microphones help you focus on conversation in a variety of environments, and this hearing aid has motion sensors that detect when you’re moving and adjust the amplification accordingly. This can be helpful when you’re walking through a crowded environment, like a market, or if you’re going from hole to hole on the golf course with friends.
Customer satisfaction and reviews
Signia doesn’t have a BBB presence, but it has been reviewed by 19 customers on Trustpilot, where it has a rating of 2.4 out of 5 stars. Problems with functionality and lengthy repairs, similar to Phonak, are a common theme in reviews.
One thing to keep in mind is the Silk X is only appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss, similar to OTC hearing aids. If you have severe hearing loss, look into the last invisible hearing aid in our review, the Oticon Own.Signia provides a hearing clinic locator so you can find one nearby that carries the Silk X. Learn more in our Signia hearing aid review.
Oticon Own
Oticon Own
World-class sound processing
Plenty of invisible styles to choose from
Price per pair: $2,400–$8,000
Pros
AI constantly customizes your listening experience to your environment
Can stream music or phone calls with Bluetooth
Cons
Reports of poor customer service in reviews sites
Why we like Oticon’s invisible hearing aids
Oticon introduced a new line of in-ear and in-canal hearing aids in 2022 that use the company’s newest operating system for some of the fastest sound processing available. Our testers were very impressed with the quality of the Oticon Own line and the sound quality of its invisible hearing aids.
Oticon features
Hearing aid style: In-the-ear, completely-in-canal, invisible-in-canal
Bluetooth capabilities: No
Warranty and trial period: Depends on the hearing clinic where you purchase the hearing aids
What you should know about Oticon
Oticon uses artificial intelligence to scan your environment thousands of times each second to find the best combination of listening settings.
Once your hearing professional has programmed your OticonOwn hearing aids, they should do all of the work from then on. The only settings you may need to change are the volume and activating Bluetooth streaming for audio or phone calls.
The Oticon Own is one of the only invisible hearing aids with Bluetooth streaming. Two other models on this list, from Eargo and Signia, can connect to an app with Bluetooth to make adjustments, but they don’t allow you to stream music or phone calls. With the Oticon Own, you can do all three.
Customer satisfaction and reviews
Oticon has the worst BBB customer rating we’ve seen at 1.33 out of 5 stars. But this rating is from only three reviews, not enough to give an accurate view of the company’s products. Of the reviews on BBB, two mention poor customer service and one refers to devices that stopped working. If you’re interested in Oticon devices, ask your hearing provider what other customer experiences have been and how they handle repairs and maintenance requests.If you want a high-tech, customizable hearing aid that’s also discreet, check out the Oticon Own. You can find a list of hearing clinics in your area that carry Oticon hearing aids on the company’s website.
Why trust Aging in Place
We’ve spent the last four years living and breathing hearing aids. In our research, we’ve:
Studied 18 brands that make invisible-style hearing aids
Surveyed hundreds of hearing aid users
Tested invisible hearing aid models
Interviewed 5 hearing instrument specialists, 20 audiologists, and tens of real hearing aid users
Invisible hearing aids are designed to be hard (or impossible) to see when properly fitted in your ears. Both completely-in-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids fit entirely in the ear canal, making them unnoticeable to other people.
Invisible hearing aids are great for people who want a discreet device others won’t see. However, even the best hearing aids have some drawbacks. Because in-canal styles are smaller than other devices, not all can accommodate certain technologies, like rechargeable batteries, telecoil, and Bluetooth streaming. Eargo, for example, has a rechargeable battery but no telecoil or Bluetooth streaming ability.
Pros and cons of invisible hearing aids
Pros
Discreet look that many people appreciate
Available in a wide range of prices
No maintenance required, depending on the design
Cons
Many are too small to include advanced technology
Rechargeable battery life is usually shorter than other styles
May not be comfortable for everyone to wear
Frequently Asked Questions
The most discreet hearing aid is the Phonak Lyric, which sits all the way in your ear canal, completely hidden from view.
Invisible hearing aids typically include fewer features and a shorter battery life compared to BTE or RIC hearing aids.
Invisible hearing aids have benefited from advances in sound technology and features in the past 10 years, making them as effective as other styles at treating hearing loss.