Best Small and Nearly Invisible Hearing Aids

AudiologyOctober 13, 20268 min read

The best invisible or nearly invisible hearing aid is the smallest one that still suits your degree of hearing loss, your ear canal and your daily life, not simply the smallest device available. In our published Danavox catalogue, the smallest options include the KLAR completely-in-canal (CIC) models, the Astro Pro and Brisa MicroRIE models, and the Boreal MiniRIE models. Each has strengths and limits, and a hearing test settles which one makes sense before any decision.

Many people look for discreet hearing aids because they worry a device will draw attention at work or at family gatherings. That concern is understandable, but a hearing aid nobody can see is no help if it does not let you hear well. This article sets out honestly which small styles are available, what you give up for the smaller size, and who each option usually suits.

What does "invisible" really mean?

No hearing aid is completely invisible for everyone. What exists are designs that reduce how much shows, in two ways:

Completely-in-canal (CIC): a small device made to fit your ear and placed deep in the ear canal, so very little of it shows.
Small receiver-in-ear (MicroRIE and MiniRIE): a small case sits behind the ear, with a thin wire to a receiver in the canal. The case is often hidden by hair, a hijab or a headscarf, and from the front only the thin wire is visible.

For a full comparison of the other styles, see hearing aid styles compared.

The smallest options in the Danavox catalogue

KLAR completely-in-canal (CIC)

The KLAR family includes two CIC models: XC3CIC at Essential level and XC4CIC at Essential Plus level. According to the catalogue:

Both use a 10 Zinc-Air battery, a small disposable battery; they are not rechargeable.
The manufacturer's portfolio lists them as CIC non-wireless, so they do not offer the phone streaming available in other models of the same family.
The catalogue notes that a cabled fitting is required to program them.
Receiver options: LP, MP and HP.
Both are listed as IP68 certified.

This is the least visible option in the catalogue, but it is not right for every ear or every degree of loss.

MicroRIE: Astro Pro and Brisa

[Astro Pro](/en/hearing-aids/astro-pro): three MicroRIE models, all rechargeable, at Select, Advanced and Premium levels. Danavox describes the family as the "smallest AI hearing aid in the world" and lists Intelligent Focus on the microRIE at Tech Level 9.
[Brisa](/en/hearing-aids/brisa): three MicroRIE models, all rechargeable, at Select, Advanced and Premium levels. Danavox describes the family as the "smallest rechargeable RIE style".

The catalogue lists TapControl on the MicroRIE models of both families, with receiver options MM, LP, MP, HP and UP. Brisa's details note that TapControl for picking up calls works with iPhone and iPad only.

MiniRIE: Boreal

The Boreal family includes three MiniRIE models, all rechargeable, at Select, Advanced and Premium levels, with receiver options MM, LP, MP, HP and UP. Danavox describes Boreal as offering greater speech understanding in noise and natural own-voice perception.

What you give up for a smaller size

Every millimetre saved comes at the cost of something else. These are the main points your audiologist will go through with you.

Power

Less space means a smaller receiver and a smaller battery. According to NIDCD, canal hearing aids are used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss and usually are not recommended for severe to profound loss, because their reduced size limits their power. With MicroRIE and MiniRIE, the receiver is chosen from several options according to your test results.

Battery and charging

The two KLAR CIC models run on small 10 Zinc-Air batteries that need regular replacement.
The MicroRIE and MiniRIE models listed above are all rechargeable, so there are no small batteries to handle.

Wireless streaming

If you want phone calls or audio streamed straight to your hearing aids, the KLAR CIC models do not offer this according to the manufacturer's portfolio. By contrast, Danavox lists Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast for Astro Pro and Brisa, and hands-free calls with iPhone and iPad plus streaming from iPhone, iPad or Android for Boreal.

Handling

Very small devices can be harder to hold, insert, remove and clean, and changing a tiny battery needs steady fingers and good eyesight. If this is a concern, a rechargeable design may be easier day to day.

Ear canal shape and wax

A CIC is custom-made for your canal, and not every canal is wide or straight enough to wear one comfortably. Devices in the canal are also exposed to wax and moisture, so they need regular care, especially in Oman's heat and humidity.

Who each option usually suits

These are general pointers only; the decision comes after your test:

KLAR CIC may suit someone whose hearing test results fit what a canal aid can deliver, with a suitable ear canal, no need for phone streaming, and no objection to changing batteries.
MicroRIE (Astro Pro or Brisa) may suit someone who wants a small rechargeable device with wireless connectivity, and perhaps a higher technology level for busy gatherings.
MiniRIE (Boreal) may suit someone who wants a small rechargeable design with wireless connectivity, and who values what Danavox states about this family: speech understanding in noise.

If you wear glasses, a hijab or a headscarf, mention it at your appointment, because it affects comfort around the ear and how much the case shows.

Common mistakes when looking for a hidden hearing aid

Choosing the size before the test: asking "what is the smallest one?" before knowing your degree of loss. Start with the test, then choose the smallest option that fits the result.
Buying a small ready-made device online: devices sold as "small hearing aids" without a test or programming are not set to your audiogram and may not fit your ear.
Ignoring handling: a hearing aid that is hard to insert, charge or change the battery of tends to stay in the drawer, and then its small size helps no one.
Assuming size decides quality: size alone does not decide sound quality; accurate programming, technology level and follow-up matter a great deal.
Skipping follow-up: small in-canal devices are affected by wax and moisture, and periodic cleaning and fine-tuning keep them working well.

Colour and visibility

Much of a hearing aid's discretion comes from choosing a colour close to your hair or skin, and from fitting the wire and receiver neatly in the ear. Ask your audiologist which colours are available for the model that suits you, and check the look in a mirror at your fitting appointment.

How the choice is made

Hearing test: to find the degree and pattern of loss in each ear.
Your priorities: discretion, charging, phone streaming or ease of handling.
Selection and fitting: during a Danavox hearing aid fitting consultation, with programming to your results.
Follow-up: fine-tuning as you get used to the sound.

Frequently asked questions

What is the smallest hearing aid you offer?

The least visible option in our published catalogue is the pair of KLAR completely-in-canal models (XC3CIC and XC4CIC). Other small options are the receiver-in-ear styles: the Astro Pro and Brisa MicroRIE models and the Boreal MiniRIE models. Danavox also describes Astro Core as offering "a smaller miniRIE" in its Essentials category, although our catalogue lists those models as RIC. Which suits you is decided after a hearing test.

Are invisible hearing aids rechargeable?

The KLAR CIC models use replaceable 10 Zinc-Air batteries. The Astro Pro and Brisa MicroRIE models and the Boreal MiniRIE models are all rechargeable, according to the catalogue.

Can an in-canal (CIC) hearing aid help with severe hearing loss?

Usually not. NIDCD notes that canal hearing aids usually are not recommended for severe to profound loss, because their size limits power; behind-the-ear hearing aids, which NIDCD lists for mild to profound loss, are usually considered instead. With MicroRIE and MiniRIE models, the receiver is chosen from several options after your hearing test.

Can a CIC hearing aid connect to my phone?

The KLAR CIC models are listed in the manufacturer's portfolio as non-wireless, so they do not stream from a phone. If phone connection matters to you, ask about the MicroRIE or MiniRIE options.

Book an appointment

You can book an appointment for a hearing test and a discussion of small options at our clinic in Bousher, Muscat, opposite Oman Mall, or call or WhatsApp +968 9171 8373. No referral is needed.

Sources

Danavox product portfolio (GN Hearing, M102987GPS-25.08-Rev.C) and accessory information, as published in our hearing aids catalogue on this site (source of the quoted Danavox statements)
NIDCD (NIH) — Hearing aids

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified professional.

Hearing Aid Selection, Fitting, Programming & Follow-up