The 3 Best Invisible Hearing Aids of 2024 (Audiologist-Reviewed)
Key Findings
- Eargo hearing aids are nearly invisible when worn, and they can be adjusted through a companion smartphone app.
- MDHearing offers invisible hearing aids for under $500 for a pair.
- Audicus hearing aids offer automatic sound adjustments, allowing users to travel between different sound environments without manually adjusting the devices.
FYI: To learn about this year’s top-rated hearing aids, check out our guide to the overall best hearing aids.
Why Trust Us?
To create this list, we tested 12 different invisible hearing aids from eight brands. Here is how we evaluated each device:
- Size: We looked into companies that offer discreet hearing aids with a variety of sizes and a comfortable fit inside the ear canal. The hearing aids that made the cut were lightweight and so small they were hardly noticeable.
- Pricing: With neither insurance nor Medicare covering hearing aids, we looked for devices that cost $2,500 or less for a pair.
- Sound quality: We tested each hearing aid in a variety of environments (at home, in a restaurant, in group conversation, and in a park) to determine how well they amplified the sounds we wanted to hear.
- Professional support: Especially with OTC hearing aids, which require no audiologist prescription, it’s important to find a hearing aid brand with reliable remote support.
- Technology: From smartphone apps to automatic adjustments, we also considered the extra features of hearing aids that made them more useful.
Best Invisible Hearing Aids
- Eargo 6 : Best Sound Quality
- MDHearing Neo XS : Best Budget Option
- Audicus Mini : Best With Disposable Batteries
Our Favorite Invisible Hearing Aids of 2024 Compared
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Eargo 6
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MDHearing Neo XS
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Audicus Mini
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|---|---|---|---|
| Rating out of 5 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Cost for a pair | $2,250 |
$397 |
$2,498 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
1 year |
2 years |
| Standout features |
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Our Top Picks
Eargo 6 - Best Sound Quality
What We Like Most:
- Virtually invisible when worn
- Lifetime licensed support
- Useful smartphone app
- IPX7 water-resistance
Overview
Cost for a pair: $2,250
Featuring a sleek design, a multifaceted smartphone app, and automatic sound adjustments, the Eargo 6 is our top pick for the best invisible hearing aids. These hearing aids featured rechargeable batteries that lasted 16 hours in our tests. This was enough to get us through the day, no matter which environment we used them. Whether it was during a quiet hike or a crowded restaurant, we found that these hearing aids helped to amplify noises we wanted to hear and drown out those that we didn’t.
>>Read more:b> Eargo 6 Review
Much like the Eargo 7, the Eargo 6 is compatible with Eargo’s smartphone app. So while the hearing aids would automatically adjust based on our surroundings, we could also manually adjust the volume and frequency levels. And unlike the other hearing aids on this list, Eargo includes free lifetime remote support from its team of hearing specialists. Through the app, we could make appointments with them, wherein a hearing specialist could remotely adjust our hearing aids.
Eargo’s fully rechargeable models include Eargo Max, Eargo Neo HiFi, and Eargo 6, the company’s latest and smallest hearing aid. The Eargo 6, which fits completely in the ear and holds a charge for up to 16 hours, features an accompanying mobile app that lets you change your hearing preferences and adjust sounds.
The one downside would be the lack of Bluetooth audio streaming. With Jabra Enhance hearing aids, for example, you can stream music and calls to your hearing aids. Eargo (and most other invisible hearing aids) lack this functionality.
To learn more about Eargo’s models, read my hands-on Eargo review.
Pros
- 16-hour battery life
- Automatic sound adjustments
- Lifetime remote support included
- Incredibly small design
Cons
- No Bluetooth audio streaming
MDHearing Neo XS - Best Budget Option
What We Like Most:
- Virtually invisible when worn
- Lifetime licensed support
- Useful smartphone app
- IPX7 water-resistance
Overview
Cost for a pair: $397
If you don’t like the higher costs of Eargo, then the MDHearing Neo XS is a similar invisible style at less than a fourth of the cost. While the Neo XS forgoes smartphone app controls and automatic sound adjustments, we found that these hearing aids delivered great sound quality and advanced noise reduction. This is especially impressive for a hearing aid at this price point.
To toggle between sound environments and adjust the volume on these hearing aids, we pressed physical buttons on the devices themselves. While some might prefer smartphone adjustments for Eargo and Audicus, others (particularly those without smartphones) might appreciate having tactics controls. Additionally, we were impressed by the battery life of these hearing aids, which lasted 18 hours before requiring a recharge.
To learn more about this and the other models from MDHearing, read our full MDHearing review.
Pros
- 18-hour battery life
- Four different environment settings
- 45-day risk-free trial
- Lifetime support included
Cons
- No Bluetooth audio streaming
- No smartphone app adjustments
Audicus Mini - Best With Disposable Batteries
What We Like Most:
- Completely in-ear design
- Two-year warranty
- Lifetime Audicus support
- 7-day battery life
Overview
Cost for a pair: $2,498
If you’re looking for invisible hearing aids but don’t want to recharge them every day, the Audicus Mini is a great option. Using disposable batteries, this hearing aid lasted for an entire week before we needed to change out its batteries.
Much like Eargo’s models, the Audicus Mini features automatic sound adjustments. When we tested these hearing aids in a noisy restaurant, we noticed the background noise reduction kick in. When we left the restaurant and walked down a quiet street, the hearing aids allowed us to hear more background noise. Elsewhere, we appreciated the Audicus app. When the automatic adjustments weren’t sufficient, we could pull out our smartphones and manually adjust them.
While the Audicus Mini is the most expensive hearing aid on this list, it’s also the only option with a two-year warranty, which could potentially justify the higher price tag.
Pros
- Two-year warranty
- 45-day trial period
- Lifetime expert support
- Great sound quality
Cons
- No rechargeable option
Honorable Mentions
While the following hearing aid brands didn’t make the cut, we thought they offered invisible hearing aid models that were worth a second look.
- Starkey: Starkey is known for making the first invisible hearing aids, and its Picasso model demonstrated superior sound quality. However, its high prices, up to $6,000 for a pair, prevented them from making this list.
- Audien: Audien hearing aids cost as low as $100 for a pair; however, we found that their poor sound quality prevented them from being all that useful.
- Phonak: Phonak’s Lyric hearing aid can be worn for months on end without having to remove it; however, once again, high prices prevented it from making the list. Read our Phonak review to learn more.
- Widex: The Widex Moment had very impressive sound quality; however, we found that its app was a bit cumbersome, and its prices were high, even for prescription hearing aids.
Who Can Use Invisible Hearing Aids?
Invisible hearing aids are most often intended for people with moderate hearing loss. Since they’re placed all the way inside the ear canal, they are virtually invisible to people around you. You may benefit from invisible hearing aids if you feel more comfortable with a smaller pair of hearing aids or if you don’t want to deal with frequently changing batteries.
Types of Invisible Hearing Aids
There are two types of invisible hearing aids: completely-in-canal hearing aids (CIC) or in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids.
Completely-in-canal hearing aids are easily customizable to your ear shape, hidden in your ear canal, and nearly invisible. They’re suitable for individuals with a wide range of hearing loss, particularly people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Although CIC hearing aids are virtually invisible, a tiny piece of the device remains visible for easy removal.
In-the-canal hearing aids are also intended for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, but they tend to have more advanced features than CIC hearing devices. Just like CIC devices, ITC hearing aids are discreet and sit deep in the canal, where they are virtually invisible. ITC hearing aids can be customized to fit the shape of your ear comfortably, but assistance is required to remove them from your ears.
How to Choose Invisible Hearing Aids
When you’re looking for the best discreet hearing aids, it’s important to consider features such as noise reduction, telephone features, multiple channels, and tinnitus relief.
Noise Reduction
This is an important feature for many modern, high-tech hearing aids. A noise-reduction feature in your hearing aids can help reduce loud noises or eliminate buzzing and whistling sounds in the background.
Telephone Features
Look for hearing aids with upgraded Bluetooth or wireless connectivity. Your hearing aids should be able to connect to your iPhone or Android phone so you can easily answer calls or stream music directly through them. If you primarily use an office or home phone, then you may want to ensure you get a hearing aid with a telecoil. According to the FCC, hearing-aid-compatible wireline telephones should work with telecoils, which help eliminate excess noise.
Tinnitus Relief
Hearing aids for tinnitus are a great way to manage the buzzing, ringing, and whirring sounds that occur from the condition. Ask a hearing aid provider if they offer tinnitus therapies or masking.
Bottom Line
With advancements in technology, you’ll be able to find more comfortable and discreet hearing aids that perfectly fit your hearing profile. To learn more about hearing aids, check out our helpful guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the most invisible hearing aid?
Completely-in-canal hearing aids are the most invisible hearing aids on the market. Offered by many manufacturers like Eargo and MDHearing, they sit deep in the ear canal for a discreet and comfortable fit.
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Do invisible hearing aids work?
Invisible hearing aids are placed deep inside the ear canal for optimal sound and speech clarity.
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What is the cheapest invisible hearing aid?
The cheapest invisible hearing aids from MDHearing cost $397 for a pair.
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Are there hearing aids that are not visible?
Yes, but most hearing aids are now very discreet. Depending on your hearing loss, a discreet behind-the-ear aid may be a better solution than an in-ear model.
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Are invisible hearing aids suitable for everyone?
Invisible hearing aids tend to be much smaller than traditional hearing aids. Since they are placed deeper in the ear canal, they may not be comfortable for all users. Invisible hearing aids may not be suitable for everyone — particularly children, people with only high-frequency hearing loss, and people with dexterity challenges who may have trouble removing or adjusting the devices.
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Are hearing aids noticeable?
Most hearing aids, including behind-the-ear models, are discreet, but there are several in-canal or completely-in-canal hearing aid brands — such as Audicus and Signia — that are completely invisible, lightweight, and easy to use.
