World's Smallest Hearing Aids UK: Are they the right fit for everyone?

The World's Smallest Hearing Aids

Exploring the invisible, small, and discreet hearing aids available in the UK

Which is the smallest hearing aid available?

To date, the smallest hearing aids available are the Starkey Signature Series CIC R NW hearing aids. Powered by the Genesis AI platform these custom,  next generation, wireless hearing aids offer excellent sound quality whilst remaining almost completely invisible. Read all about their advanced features and benefits here.

Discrete hearing aid styles are becoming more popular

Invisible hearing aids are small hearing solutions that cannot be seen outside your ear.  This is because they sit deep inside your ear canal and are generally custom-fit.  So you will benefit from both a personalised hearing experience and a comfortable fit - unique to your ear shape.

If discretion and comfort are your priority, then invisible hearing aids are worth considering.  In this article, we go through the features, benefits, and impact of invisible hearing aids on hearing health.

What are invisible hearing aids?

Invisible hearing aids, also known as In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aids or Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aids, are designed to be as discreet as possible.  This means that they are not noticeable to others when being worn - potentially giving wearers more confidence and comfort in social situations. 

Many people with hearing loss are concerned about the devices themselves being too conspicuous.  We know that looking after your hearing health is the most important, but confidence is also key and often being self-conscious about wearing your hearing aids affects that.

In some cases, it is the reason why so many people do not seek professional help with their hearing loss in the first place.  With every year that goes by (and the smaller hearing aids become), we hope this inspires change.  

What small hearing aids are available today in the UK?

Small and discreet hearing aids are broken down into different In-Ear categories. These are:

ITE hearing aids:  In the Ear hearing aids are quite small and as the name suggests, sit just in the ear canal. They can still be seen but are far more discreet than the Full Shell or Half Shell aids (ITC). Some manufacturers also offer colours to match hair or skin tones.  

They are less visible than traditional hearing aids but may be noticeable to others if they are looking closely.

CIC hearing aids:  Completely in the Canal hearing aids sit further into the canal and are almost unnoticeable.  They are almost completely hidden from view and are not visible when worn.

IIC hearing aids:  Invisible in the Canal hearing aids are the most discreet type of hearing aid and are designed to be virtually invisible when worn. They are custom-made to fit deep inside the ear canal and are only visible if someone is looking directly into the ear.

Small, Invisible and Discreet Hearing Aids

Are invisible hearing aids any good?

Are invisible hearing aids suitable for everyone?

The honest answer here is no.  If you are conscious about wearing hearing aids like Reciever in the Ear (RIC) or Behind the Ear (BTE) models, then - yes - invisible devices might be worth considering and opting for.  However, they are not appropriate for everyone or every ear.  

ITE hearing aids are generally compatible with people who have mild to moderate hearing loss.  Because they are small they are not suitable or recommended for people who have severe to profound hearing loss. 

They are also much trickier to handle and put into your ear or can be a challenge when you replace your batteries.  So if vision or dexterity is an issue, this type of hearing aid is probably not the best style for you.

Are small and invisible hearing aids available on NHS?

Quite a lot of consumers choose to go private for their hearing aids to benefit from a more discreet in-the-ear device, which is historically not as available on the NHS if not at all.  The latest and most modern hearing aids that private audiologists have to offer such as advanced technology, mobile compatibility, and sophisticated Bluetooth connectivity.

Ear shape is a factor when thinking about small hearing aids

Comfort is so important when choosing hearing aids.  If they are a bad fit they won't just deliver poor sound,  but they will also hurt your ears and cause irritation.  Invisible hearing aids are known to be comfortable, but they are not compatible with all ear shapes. 

For instance, if your ear canals are short or thin an ITE hearing aid may not sit comfortably within your ears.  However, there are options to try this style of hearing aid before you commit to purchasing with your audiologist - which we would highly recommend.

Invisible and Small Hearing Aids Pros and Cons

What are the advantages and disadvantages of invisible hearing aids?

What are the advantages of invisible hearing aids?

Invisible hearing aids have several features and benefits, the main ones include:

Discretion

The main advantage of invisible hearing aids is that they are not noticeable to others when being worn. Being placed inside the ear canal, they are virtually invisible to others, addressing the stigma associated with wearing visible hearing devices.

This can be particularly important for people who are self-conscious about their hearing loss, or who do not want others to know that they are wearing a hearing aid.

Comfort with customisation and fitting

Invisible hearing aids are generally more comfortable to wear than traditional hearing aids, as they do not have any visible parts that can rub against the skin or get caught in the hair.

In regards to fit, audiologists take impressions of the wearer's ear canal, ensuring a perfect fit. This personalised fitting contributes to enhanced comfort and reduced chances of discomfort or feedback, making them ideal for extended wear.

Improved sound quality

Because they are located closer to the ear drum, invisible hearing aids can provide better sound quality than traditional hearing aids. They are also less prone to feedback (whistling) than traditional hearing aids, which can be a common issue for people with severe hearing loss.

Invisible hearing aids utilise sophisticated digital processing technology, allowing for advanced sound processing and noise reduction. These devices can adapt to various listening environments, delivering clear and natural sound to the wearer.

Speech understanding

Speech understanding is crucial for communication, and invisible hearing aids are designed to prioritise this aspect. The proximity to the eardrum ensures that sound vibrations are accurately transmitted, leading to improved speech perception even in challenging listening environments.

Compatibility with active lifestyles

Invisible hearing aids are an excellent option for individuals with active lifestyles. Whether they are engaged in sports, or outdoor activities, or simply prefer a less obtrusive hearing solution, these devices offer a seamless fit and eliminate worries about their appearance.

What are the disadvantages of invisible hearing aids?

Small hearing aids come with certain limitations and considerations.  While invisible hearing aids offer numerous benefits, they might not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with severe hearing loss may require more powerful devices, which might be challenging to fit into the small form factor of invisible hearing aids. 

Here are some of the main disadvantages of invisible hearing aids:

Features

Invisible hearing aids historically don't have the same feature catalogue as other styles.  This is because of the size of the devices and not having enough room to store such technology.  This means that invisible hearing aids have shorter battery life.

Sound

Because invisible hearing aids sit inside your ear, the sound is collected and amplified.  You don't have the assistance of directional microphones, which are hugely beneficial if you find a conversation in noise difficult to understand.

Connectivity

BTE hearing aids provide advanced Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls and streaming audio and TV programmes.  You might miss out on Bluetooth connectivity with most IIC or ITE hearing aids, so if this is important to you then you need to look at other options.

 ►Click here to go to the top of the page