Technological breakthroughs in the last ten years have made possible a whole new class of invisible hearing aids.
These aren't your grandfather's options, from a new "disposable" hearing aid called Lyric to a miniaturized rechargeable hearing aid from Eargo.
In this guide, we'll break down some key things to know about invisible hearing aids and share the five best products on the market as of late 2022.
Invisible Hearing Aid Tradeoffs
If you are reading this guide, there's a good chance you want a hearing aid that disappears in your ear. You aren't alone; invisible styles have skyrocketed in popularity and availability.
Still, there are a few tradeoffs to consider before you choose a style based solely on the device's size.
Invisible hearing aid pros:
- Hard to Notice - 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
- Natural sound - Some users report more natural sound using invisible style hearing aids because the devices use the natural shape of the ear
Invisible hearing aid cons:
- Limited Functionality - The smallest designs come with limited Bluetooth and charging functionality
- Dexterity Challenges - Smaller devices can be frustrating to 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
Research Summary
The full list below includes several form factors and price points. If you aren't sure which product is right for you, you might start with our top choices.
Top Choice - Starkey Evolv AI Custom
Starkey is the perennial leader when it comes to custom molded products. Their smallest IIC version sits deep inside the ear.
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Runner Up - Eargo 6
Eargo 6 is the only rechargeable and invisible product on the market. Instead of using a custom mold, Eargo uses an innovative Flexi Palm design to rest deep inside the ear. Many hearing health pros talk about Eargo as the Tesla of hearing health.
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Enough preamble, here's the full list of the best invisible hearing aids for 2022.
These Invisible Hearing Aids Are Rebranding the Category
Review Process For This Guide
Soundly conducts regular research to guide prospective hearing aid wearers. We update this guide regularly with the latest products. To get to this list we underwent the research below:
- 50+ Hours Research Conducted Each Month
- 3 Licensed Audiologists Consulted
- 32 Total Brands Reviewed
- 1,000+ Customer Reviews Considered
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Eargo is the disruptor in hearing health. Their product is rechargeable, invisible, and designed with a patented tip that allows your ears to breathe.
Eargo 6 was released in 2022 with new features that adapt to your environment as you move through your day. Eargo has raised hundreds of millions to design their product from scratch and what they've pulled off is impressive.
Think of this product as the Tesla of hearing health. Eargo is best for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. If you want to try something new, this is a great option.
Overall notes: Eargo stands out for its design, innovation, size, and telecare team. The only drawback is that Eargo can be buggy. For thousands of happy customers, that's worth the tradeoff.
Price: $2,650 for Eargo’s newest product using code SOUNDLY300E6
Features: Invisible, self-programmed, rechargeable
What audiologists say: “If you are looking for invisible devices Eargo is one of the best options on the market.” - Ramsay Poindexter
Eargo is a tiny device that sits entirely inside the ear
Eargo is more affordable then custom mold hearing aids
Eargo is self fit using an app
Only appropriate for those with mild to moderate hearing loss
Requires some tinkering to fine to the product
Eargo is not Bluetooth enabled due to the tiny size
The Phonak Lyric is a non-traditional option that sold as an annual subscription. The devices are placed deep in your inner ear by a hearing professional every 8 weeks and stay in your ears all day instead of coming out at night.
You can shower, work out, and even swim (without fully submerging) with the hearing aid in your ears. Lyric wearers receive a magnetic “magic wand” tool that turns the hearing aid up or down and remove the device if needed.
Many people find this option more comfortable than traditional invisible hearing aids and enjoy hearing at night if they have kids.
Overall Notes: Lyric can be thought of as contact lenses for the ears. Patients who are successfully fit with Lyric often never go back and share that they forget they are wearing hearing aids.
Price: Lyric hearing aids are sold on a membership that averages around $4,000 per year
Features: Lyric hearing aids use analog technology and boast an impressively small size
Totally invisible
Wear 24 hours a day including workouts and water
Clear sound that uses the shape of the ear
Expensive at $4,000 per year
Includes in-person changes every 6 weeks
Lack of background noise suppression technology
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Starkey is a U.S.-based manufacturer with a full line of hearing aids that includes behind the ear and in-the-ear styles. Starkey is known for intelligent features like fitness tracking, a virtual assistant, and the smallest Bluetooth hearing aid on the market.
They make the list for their elite status in custom molded (nearly invisible products). If you can afford to pay medical-grade prices and want an invisible style, you won’t be disappointed by Starkey.
Overall Notes: Starkey Evolv AI is broadly considered the best for custom mold hearing aids. If you want a custom mold, and lead an active lifestyle, this product is a great choice.
Price: Starting at $2,998 through Zip Hearing (walk-in prices $5K-$8K)
Features: Full range of styles and features including Bluetooth, rechargeability, and fitness tracking.
What audiologists say: “Starkey has been making the smallest and best custom hearing aids for decades. Evolv AI is currently the smallest custom device on the market with Bluetooth streaming capabilities.” - Ramsay Poindexter, AuD
Smallest models are almost entirely invisible
Starkey is a leader in comfortable custom molded products
Larger sizes come with Bluetooth streaming and rechargeable batteries
This is a premium device which costs $3,000-$7,000 per pair
Custom molds require additional lead time and replacement time
The smallest versions of Starkey Evolv AI customs are not Bluetooth enabled or rechargeable
Signia Silk X is almost entirely invisible as it sits fully in your ear canal. The Signia Silk X gets all the customization you would expect from a medical-grade hearing aid and offers one key difference, it does not need to be custom molded to your ear. Many hearing aids of this size require a custom mold to fit your ear canal but this model provides a range of tips (called “click sleeves”).
This makes the hearing aids ready to wear and makes them a bit easier to trial and return. Signia Silk hearing aids allow for volume adjustments through an app. If you’re looking for a fully programmable, high-quality, and invisible option but don’t want to go with a custom mold, Signia Silk X is worth considering.
Overall Notes: Signia technology is well regarded by audiologists and hearing aid wearers. Silk isn't the most feature-rich option on the market, but it offers real customization, quality sound, and connection to smartphone volume and program adjustments. Importantly, it is nearly invisible but doesn't require a custom mold.
Price: Starting at $2,898 for a pair through Zip Hearing (pricing options presented in-clinic are typically 30% higher)
Features: Signia Silk has a few extra features. One is CROS, which is specifically for people with one ear that needs aid and one that does not. This feature allows you to wear a hearing aid in both ears to create a full sound picture. Silk also offers Twin Phone, which is a setting that allows the sound of your phone in one ear to come through in both hearing aids. The Silk X hearing aids come in simple red and blue colors to make it easy to know which goes in the left and right ear.
What Audiologists Say: "Signia Silk is a discreet, comfortable hearing aid. This is a nice option if you don't want to wait for a true custom buildout and can handle hearing aid batteries." - Ramsay Poindexter, AuD
Nearly invisible
Professionally programmed
No custom-mold required
Premium price point $2,998 - $5,000 for a pair
Requires an in person office visit
No Bluetooth or rechargeable features due to the size
Audicus sells hearing aids that are manufactured by top hearing aid manufacture, Sonova. They offer customizable and feature-rich hearing aids for less by cutting out the middle man and selling direct. This means you won’t see Audicus at your local audiologist, and that margin comes off the price.
The Audicus Aura is a completely in canal (CIC) hearing aid that is slightly larger than Eargo and Evolv AI. The product is available at $699 per ear and comes with support from a remote Audicus audiologist. The brand offers a 45-day trial and 1-year warranty.
Overall notes: Audicus has more than 7,000 reviews with an impressive average of 4.7 stars. Their customer service and lifetime specialist support are unique to the industry. If you are on a budget and want fully customized hearing aids, Audicus is among the best options available.
Price: Audicus Aura costs $699 per ear
Features: Audicus Aura is a simple hearing aid that is customized remotely by a hearing professional
What audiologists say: “Audicus is an affordable and mostly-hidden hearing aid. It has some drawbacks when compared to industry leaders, but Aura is far from a cheap amplifier.” - Garrett Thompson, AuD
Discreet style and size
Affordable price
Professionally programmed
Larger than other invisible options
Volume control requires tapping the ear (the hearing aid does not have buttons or an app)
That's the list, friends.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the best invisible hearing aids available. We update this page regularly and will be back with new models as they come.
We created this site to make finding hearing products and care more accessible.
Use the shop tab to compare all the leading products on the market (with prices), or check your hearing with our 5-minute hearing test.
If you have questions, you can email our team at any time hello@soundly.com.
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