We independently evaluate the products we review. When you buy via links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read more about how we vet products and deals.
These are the best invisible hearing aids of 2024, according to experts
Hearing aid use has exploded over the past few years, thanks in part to a 2022 regulatory decision to allow these crucial devices to be sold over the counter. But while hearing aids are vital tools, not everyone wants to highlight the fact that they're using them. That's where invisible hearing aids come into play.
Eargo 7
Best over-the-counter invisible hearing aid
Phonak Lyric
Best prescription invisible hearing aid
Widex Moment CIC
Best invisible prescription hearing aid
Jabra Enhance Select 300
The best invisible hearing aid for customization and support
Audien Atom Pro 2
Most budget-friendly invisible hearing aid
Hear.com Go IX
Best value hearing aid for mild to profound hearing loss
Essentially, hearing aids amplify sound to help you hear, explains Dr. Michael Yong, an otolaryngologist and neurorhinologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. But these devices can also help lower the risk of cognitive decline in older adults, as well as lessen the odds of developing depression.
The term "invisible" is slightly vague in the hearing aid world. "There are many types of hearing aids, including completely-in-canal devices, that you have to look inside the ear to see," Yong says. But invisibility isn't a slam dunk. "Each person’s ear canal is shaped differently," points out Taylor L. Wucinich, an audiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. If you have a small ear canal, for example, some components of the hearing aid may not be completely hidden, she says.
Receiver-in-canal hearing aids, which use a thin receiver wire that runs down the ear and attaches to a receiver or speaker inside the ear canal, can also look invisible, especially if you have hair around your ears, Wucinich says.
It's important to stress that there's nothing wrong with having a visible hearing aid. Real talk: If you need a hearing aid, you should wear one. But if you'd rather keep your health and hearing status private, an invisible option can help you do just that.
To understand what to look for in the best hearing aids that are invisible or nearly invisable, we consulted with a panel of hearing experts. We also researched the best OTC hearing aids and prescription hearing aids available, analyzing each for factors like ease of use, setup difficulty, features, appearance and value. These are our top choices for the best invisible hearing aids of 2024.
Cost: $2,550 | OTC or prescription: OTC | Covered by insurance: Dependent on provider | FSA/HSA eligible: Yes | Style: Completely-in-canal (CIC) | Battery type: Rechargeable | Remote/App customization: Yes
The Eargo 7 hearing aid is an over-the-counter completely-in-canal aid that provides a nearly invisible look and barely there feel. At only 3/4 of an inch from tip to end this is a tiny but mighty hearing aid, and the included range of ear fittings means you will find your perfect fit for a truly comfortable feel. This is also a rechargeable hearing aid that can go for up to 16 hours on a single charge, while the included charging case holds up to two extra days' worth of power.
It uses technology called Sound Adjust+ that automatically adjusts to the environment you're in, working to reduce background noise so you can hear speech more clearly. The Eargo's 7 design is borrowed from nature, with a closed petal design to minimize sound leakage and reduce feedback and an open petal for a natural listening experience.
This hearing aid comes with lifetime support, along with customer care availability Monday through Saturday.
- Discreet look
- 16-hour battery life
- Lifetime support
- Expensive for an OTC hearing aid
- One color option
Cost: $3,000-$6,000 for annual subscription | OTC or prescription: Prescription | Covered by insurance: Depends on provider | FSA/HSA eligible: Yes | Style: Completely-in-canal | Battery type: N/A | Remote/App customization: No
Our pick for the best over-the-counter invisible hearing aid is the Phonak Lyric, which bills itself as the "world's only 100% invisible hearing aid." This in-the-ear hearing aid is definitely unique. It's an extended wear device that's placed near your eardrum by a trained professional. Once in place, you continuously wear it for up to four months before it's swapped out for a new option. So, there's no need to worry about things like replacement batteries or remembering to charge it overnight.
The Lyric is sold on a subscription basis, meaning you don't need to shell out money every time you go in for a new one. Instead, you pay for a subscription in one- to two-year intervals.
The Lyric is water resistant, so you can shower and workout with it in. However, it's not fully waterproof, so it's not recommended that you swim underwater or dive. Your audiology professional will help you find the right fit, picking from sizes XXS to XXL.
- Invisible look
- No need to take it in and out
- Clear sound
- Needs to be replaced every 4 months
- Not 100% waterproof
Cost: $3,000-$7,000 | OTC or prescription: Prescription | Covered by insurance: Depends on provider | FSA/HSA eligible: Yes | Style: In-the-ear (ITE) | Battery type: Disposable and rechargeable | Remote/App customization: Yes
We chose the Widex Moment CIC as the best invisible prescription hearing aid due to its impressive technology and discrete design. This in-the-ear style hearing aid has the fasting processing time of any brand thanks to specialized Widex technology.
This device uses ZeroDelay technology to process sound in 0.5 milliseconds for a smooth and natural experience. It also comes in three colors — light beige, clay brown and dark brown — to blend in. The Moment CIC connects to Widex's Tonelink app, where you can make quick and easy adjustments.
- Fast sound processing
- Easy-to-use app
- 3 color options
- Can be pricey
- Remote adjustments require an accessory
Cost: $1,595-$1,795 | OTC or prescription: OTC | Covered by insurance: Reimbursement available dependent on provider and policy | FSA/HSA eligible: Yes | Style: Over the ear | Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Remote/app customization: Yes
The Jabra Enhance Select 300's discreet, almost invisible design (it's smaller than a paper clip) and lasts 24 hours on a single charge. Jabra's Select 300 sits behind the ear and is attached to a nearly invisible wire connected to a receiver and speaker that sits in your ear canal. It is easily concealed by hair or just your ear thanks to its tiny design. But our top pick's near invisibility and long battery life is only the start of the many impressive features of this OTC hearing aid that rivals prescription hearing aids that are three times the cost.
When it comes to sound, Jabra's SoundScape technology, coupled with smart microphones, delivers a natural, crisp and clear sound compared to many of its competitors. Also, its true depth of sound spatial and noise-canceling technologies help you recognize where sounds are coming from around you while also minimizing unnecessary background noises. For an added bonus, the hearing aids offer Bluetooth capabilities for hands-free calls and streaming your favorite music, podcasts and TV shows right to your hearing aid (iPhone 11 or newer required for calling).
Jabra offers two packages for its Select 300 hearing aids: the basic package ($1,595), which comes as a preprogrammed device with three hearing profiles to choose from; and the premium package ($1,795), fully customizable and offering remote adjustments and support from an audiology team.
- 24-hour battery life
- 100-day trial period
- Access to audiologists with premium package
- Smartphone or tablet required
- iPhone 11 or newer required for hands-free calling
Cost: $289 | OTC or prescription: OTC | Covered by Insurance: No | FSA/HSA eligible: Yes | Style: In-the-canal (ITC) | Remote/app customization: No
When you're looking at value, you can't do much better than the Audien Atom Pro 2, our top pick for the best budget-friendly invisible hearing aid. At just under $300, this hearing aid is a steal.
The Audien Atom Pro 2 isn't the most high-tech hearing aid out there, but not everyone needs tons of bells and whistles. This hearing aid is an in-the-canal design that's nearly invisible. It also has an impressive battery life — it can last for up to 24 hours on one charge.
There are a few drawbacks to keep in mind, including that there aren't preset listening profiles or advanced settings. Instead, you just pop the hearing aid out to change the volume, before placing it back in. The Audien Atom Pro 2 comes with a UV charging case that's designed to wipe out bacteria and keep your devices clean. There's also a 45-day money-back guarantee for the just in case.
- Inexpensive
- Discreet
- 24-hour battery life
- No app customization
- Needs to be adjusted manually
Cost: $499 and up per device | OTC or prescription: OTC | Covered by insurance: Dependent on provider | FSA/HSA eligible: Yes | Style: Receiver-in-canal | Remote/app customization: Yes
Hear.com Go IX looks nearly invisible, but when it comes to those with profound hearing loss, it offers a few features you won't get in a completely-in-canal pick.
This hearing aid has a slim style that tucks behind your ear, with a nearly invisible wire attached to a speaker that nestles into your ear canal. The Go IX is built for mild to profound hearing loss, and uses two sound processors to separate speech and background noise, for better spatial clarity. Another feature we love is that it connects to Bluetooth so you can stream shows, podcasts and audiobooks right to your hearing aid, so no more blasting the TV and driving those in the room crazy. You can even take and make calls as you would with standard earbuds.
All adjustments can be made using the Hear.com app, so you can quickly and easily customize the setting to your surroundings — indoor, outdoor, restaurant. This is also a rechargeable sharing aid, so no fumbling with tiny batteries.
Editor's note: If you suffer from profound hearing loss, it's best to visit an audiologist for a more individualized approach to your hearing needs. That said, hearing aids are incredibly expensive and it's understandable that not everyone has access to insurance or prescription hearing aids. These aids will help you hear TV, music and conversations more clearly and will certainly do the trick in a pinch.
- Petite size
- Adjustments made via app
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Users need to be tech savvy
- May still be slightly visible
What to consider when buying an invisible hearing aid
You can purchase an invisible hearing aid by prescription or over the counter. Just keep in mind that you should have a professional evaluate your hearing before investing in any hearing device, Yong says. (They can assess you for any underlying conditions and get a better sense of what you need.) Once you've found that you could, in fact, benefit from a hearing aid, there are several elements to consider:
Style of hearing aid
There are five main styles of hearing aids. Each comes with its own potential benefits and drawbacks.
Behind-the-ear (BTE): Typically the most visible of all hearing aid styles, these devices contain a speaker and microphone and work for a wide range of hearing loss.
Receiver-in-canal (RIC): RICs have a similar style to BTEs but are often less visible. There is a thin wire attached to the receiver or speaker that sits inside the ear canal. Some of these can look invisible or nearly so.
In-the-ear (ITE): These hearing aids are usually custom-fitted. Even so, they may still be visible.
In-the-canal (ITC): These are discreet and often custom-molded to your ear. They fit partly in the ear canal and tend to be less visible than ITEs.
Completely-in-canal (CIC): CICs are the hardest to spot. They can be nearly invisible, but they're typically only designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Cost
Over-the-counter hearing aids tend to be less expensive than their prescription counterparts, and you can get some for just a few hundred dollars. However, high-tech hearing aids may cost thousands. Health insurance coverage varies, which is why it's a good idea to check in with your provider before making a purchase. Some hearing aids can also be eligible as an FSA/HSA-approved expense.
Prescription or OTC
As of 2022, hearing aids are allowed to be sold OTC in the U.S. While there are still plenty of prescription models, some OTC options have a high quality that rivals that of their Rx counterparts. While prescription hearing aids tend to have a higher level of customization and power, they do require a medical evaluation and fitting with an audiologist. Also, OTC hearing aids often come as a set, while prescription devices may be sold individually.
Setup
The setup for your hearing aid usually depends on if you have a prescription or OTC device. Prescription hearing aids are fitted and calibrated by a professional, while OTC models are set up by you. Some over-the-counter models offer customer support for setup and even have remote programming to get you up and running. If you're relatively tech-savvy, you should be just fine setting up your hearing aid on your own. If not, it's best to go with a prescription pick or invest in an OTC with a company that has a high level of support.
App pairing
Some hearing aids pair with an app; others don't. This isn't a required feature, but if you have an OTC model, it can be helpful for fine-tuning your device. Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids will also often come with an app to give you greater control. Speaking of...
Bluetooth capabilities
The Bluetooth hearing aids allow you to stream music, listen to the TV and hear audiobooks straight from your hearing aid. The benefit of this, Yong says, is that you don't have to worry about potential sound interference. Some Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids also allow you to take calls with your hearing aid. Just read the fine print: Some models will only work with certain phones — you'll want to make sure the type you're considering pairs well with your current technology.
Extra features
There's a range of potential extra features to consider. Those include noise-cancellation features, directional microphones, rechargeable batteries and an extended battery life. Bluetooth technology is a perk, along with relaxation modes that can stream soothing sounds straight to your ear. Robust professional support and long trial periods are helpful too.
How we chose our top invisible hearing aid picks
To find the best invisible hearing aids, we consulted with audiologists, otolaryngologists, physicians and hearing aid specialists to learn more about the important elements to consider with these tools. We also researched potential benefits and drawbacks of this style to consider. After that, we tracked down the top invisible hearing aids available and narrowed the field based on expert recommendations around setup, sound quality, features and value.
How do hearing aids work?
There are different styles of hearing aids, but they all work in a similar way. Hearing aids sample and collect sound through small microphones, before converting them into electrical signals and amplifying them, Yong explains. Those sounds are also analyzed and manipulated to ensure things like unwanted background noises are reduced and speech is enhanced.
Rechargeable vs. battery hearing aids: Which is better?
It's a matter of personal preference. Many people like the convenience of rechargeable hearing aids, given that they don't require you to swap out batteries on a regular basis. But some people don't like having to remember to charge their hearing aids every night. If you opt for a model that uses batteries, just keep in mind that extra batteries will be an added cost to you throughout the life of your hearing aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best style of hearing aid?
There is no one "best" style of hearing aid, and some are better for certain types of hearing loss than others. Completely-in-canal hearing aids, for example, are typically best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, while behind-the-ear devices are often a better pick for someone with profound hearing loss. If you're unsure of the best hearing aid style for you, consult with an audiologist or your doctor for guidance.
Can you shower with an invisible hearing aid?
"It depends on the type and manufacturer," Yong says. "Some are designed to be waterproof; some are designed to be water-resistant."
What are the disadvantages of invisible hearing aids?
If you have an in-the-ear invisible hearing aid, these usually don't have room for on-device controls like volume control or program buttons, Wucinich says. "They also lack Bluetooth/streaming connectivity options," she says, adding that some of these may be more expensive than other styles. Another potential risk, per Yong: Earwax can get impacted around the hearing aids. "These patients will need to come back to get their ear formally cleaned," he says.
How long do rechargeable hearing aids hold a charge?
It really depends on the model you choose. Most rechargeable hearing aids will give you at least 12 to 16 hours of battery life before needing a recharge. However, others can last for 24 hours before needing to be plugged in.
What are the best invisible hearing aids for seniors?
The right invisible hearing aid is one that meets your needs, no matter your age, Yong says. But completely-in-canal hearing aids can be helpful if you wear glasses. "The hearing aid can come into contact with the glasses otherwise and make it difficult to hear," he explains. An in-the-canal hearing aid can also be more convenient. "I've seen a number of patients who prefer to just leave it in for months at a time, and they find it's easier," Yong says.
Are invisible hearing aids comfortable to wear?
They can be. "They are comfortable, but it can take some time to get used to wearing the device in your ear," Wucinich says. Ultimately, "it really depends on the patient," Yong says. "Some people say they're really comfortable, while others who have small ear canals or produce a lot of wax aren't as comfortable," he adds.
Do cheap hearing aids work?
Yes, cheap hearing aids work. Typically, inexpensive models are able to drive the price down by avoiding bells and whistles, like directional microphones, Bluetooth and customizable settings. If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, an inexpensive hearing aid can be a great option for you. But it's ultimately best to talk to an audiologist to learn more about your personal needs.
Meet our expert panel
Dr. Michael Yong, otolaryngologist and neurorhinologist, Pacific Neuroscience Institute
Taylor L. Wucinich, an audiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Dr. Sreek Cherukuri, MD, board-certified ear, nose and throat physician and founder of ClearCast
Amanda Cooper, licensed hearing aid specialist
Dave Fabry, PhD, chief hearing health officer, Starkey
Amy Sarow, Au.D., clinical audiologist and audiology lead at Soundly
Leigh Smith, Au.D., audiologist and owner of Florida Audiology Associates
Anish Thakkar, Au.D., director of audiology at Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy
