Modern hearing aids are more discreet than ever. There are now even hearing aids available which are almost invisible to the eye. These tiny hearing aids can give you a high-quality listening experience while being discreet.
Invisible hearing aids sit inside your ear so that they are virtually invisible to the naked eye. More impressive still is the advanced digital technology that fits into such small devices.
Invisible hearing aids are custom-fitted to your ear canal – they have no external tubes or wires.
Types of hearing aids
One of the smallest invisible hearing aids is the invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) style. It fits completely inside the ear canal.
The Oticon Opn IIC is invisible in 8 out of 10 users' ears, offering excellent sound quality, but without compromising on the latest digital technology.
|
Whether invisible hearing aids are right for you depends on a few things. The level of your hearing loss, the shape of your ear canal and your personal preferences about hearing aids are all factors you'll need to consider.
Below is an overview of invisible hearing aids advantages and disadvantages that you'll have to weigh up.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Small, discreet style | Shorter battery life |
| Less likely to pick up wind noise | Controls are harder to see and feel |
| More natural sound experience | Not suitable for all ear canal shapes |
| No external tubes/wires | Challenging to handle for those with limited dexterity |
| Custom-fitted (more comfortable for most users) | No coordination possible between your two hearing aids |
| No Bluetooth® connectivity available | |
| Not available with rechargeable batteries |
Grace Sims completed her Bachelor of Science in Audiology at the University of Bristol and has previously worked in the ENT department at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. She joined Hidden Hearing in 2014 and is an audiologist at the Cheltenham clinic. She has been a practice educator for four years and is now a Hidden Hearing mentor.
1. https://www.oticon.ca/professionals/products/hearing-aids/opn-ite
2, https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52837-The-pros-and-cons-of-small-hearing-aids
