Everything You Need To Know About Invisible Hearing Aids

Invisible hearing aids are a great option for people who want to experience discreet and effective hearing support. However, there are several things to consider before you decide to go with invisible hearing aids.

This type of hearing aid is deeply inserted into the ear canal, making it difficult or impossible for others to see it. The benefits include 24/7 wear, no need to change batteries, and the possibility of tinnitus relief.

1. They Are Custom-Made For Your Ears

Invisible hearing aids are designed to fit inside your ear canal and are the most discreet option. They can be worn daily without anyone noticing. They can be used by people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Because IICs sit so close to your ear drum, they can leverage the natural acoustics of your ears to funnel sound into your ears and provide superior sound quality. They also preserve battery life and are easier to adjust to wearing.

The downside of invisible hearing aids is that they are not suitable for all ear types or all hearing levels and can be prone to failure because of earwax ingress into the speaker or microphone. For this reason, we recommend a consultation with your hearing care professional before choosing an invisible model.

2. They Are Smaller

The most popular invisible hearing aid style is called an Invisible in the Canal (IIC) and fits deep into your ear canal. It’s small enough that people will barely notice you wear one.

The downside to this tiny design is that it leaves little room for advanced features that other hearing aids might have, like Bluetooth connectivity and wireless music streaming. This also means that users will have to change their non-rechargeable batteries more frequently.

If you’re not worried about social stigmas and your hearing loss isn’t severe, an IIC might be the perfect option for you. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons with your audiologist before making a decision. Your hearing levels and ear shape will determine whether an IIC is right for you.

3. They Are Easy To Operate

Invisible hearing aids use advanced digital technology to provide a range of benefits. Some features include Bluetooth streaming, which enables users to connect to their smartphones to stream music and hands-free phone calls. Others are designed to alleviate the effects of tinnitus, such as a ringing in the ears, by masking it with other sounds.

Some styles are more difficult to operate than others, and their compact size can make them challenging for individuals with dexterity issues to press the controls or change the battery. In these cases, other hearing aid options may be more suitable for their needs. Oticon’s Own invisible-in-the-canal and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) models are an excellent option for people with dexterity issues as they offer more user-friendly controls. These models also feature Oticon’s Polaris chip platform, and come in five different styles and five technology levels to find the right fit for each individual’s needs.

4. They Are Discreet

Most invisible hearing aids fit inside your ear canal and are unnoticeable to those around you. If you are interested in getting invisible hearing aids, you’ll need to visit a hearing professional to discuss your options.

They aren’t suitable for everyone though. If your ear canal is too narrow or awkward, you won’t be able to wear an IIC. Also, IICs can have issues with acoustic feedback, which limits their maximum amplification output.

If you want a more discreet option, there are smaller models available that sit outside the ear. These models tend to offer better functionality, like Bluetooth and rechargeability. Another great option is Lyric, which stays in your ear 24/7 and doesn’t need to be removed. It even works when you’re sleeping, exercising or showering!

5. They Are Reliable

Unlike other types of hearing aids, invisible hearing aids fit fully in your ear canal and are not visible to the naked eye. These devices are very comfortable, lightweight and custom-fitted to your ear shape. They also require less power to transmit sound, making them extremely efficient and reliable.

The most discreet style of invisible hearing aid is the IIC (invisible-in-the-canal) model. These devices are so small that they can only be seen when the wearer is tilting their head sideways.

Although invisible hearing aids offer a lot of advantages, they do come with some drawbacks. The most obvious is that because they are so small, they can be difficult to handle for people with dexterity issues. They can also have shorter battery life and lack certain features found in larger models.

-- Abdul Alim - 2023-08-01

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