Invisible · In-canal · In-the-ear
Invisible and discreet hearing aids
Eight in-canal and in-the-ear models from Oticon, Signia, Phonak and Widex — fitted to an impression of your own ear, with four years of unlimited aftercare. We will also tell you honestly when a discreet aid is the wrong answer for your hearing.
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The honest version
“Invisible” covers four quite different things
Manufacturers use the word loosely. In practice there are four fittings, and they are not interchangeable — your ear canal decides which are available to you long before preference does.
Invisible-in-canal (IIC)
Sits deepest, past the bend of the canal. Genuinely unseen in normal conversation. Needs a reasonably wide, straight, healthy canal, and uses the smallest battery of any style.
Completely-in-canal (CIC)
Sits just inside the canal opening with a small removal thread. Near-invisible, slightly easier to handle, and available to more ears than a true IIC.
In-the-canal and in-the-ear (ITC / ITE)
Fills the lower part or most of the ear bowl. Visible if somebody looks, but roomier — which means more power, longer battery life and easier handling.
Earbud style
Discreet by disguise rather than by size. It reads as a wireless earbud, which for some people is a more comfortable thing to be seen wearing than a hearing aid of any size.
What we fit
Eight discreet models, with their real prices
We are tied to no manufacturer and take no commission, so the recommendation follows your audiogram and your ear, not a supplier agreement. Every price below is for a pair and includes the prescription fitting, all follow-up adjustments, a four-year warranty and four years of unlimited aftercare. Single aids start at £798.
Signia Insio Charge&Go IX
IIC / CIC · custom-made
from £1,695 a pair
Signia’s most accessible custom range, built from an impression of your ear. The invisible-in-canal fitting sits deep enough that most people will never see it.
Oticon Own
IIC / CIC / ITC · custom-made
from £2,495 a pair
Made to the shape of your canal, with an invisible-in-canal option where the anatomy allows. Five technology levels, so the fitting can follow your hearing rather than your budget.
Widex Allure ITE
In-the-ear · custom · rechargeable
from £2,995 a pair
A custom in-the-ear aid you charge overnight rather than changing batteries — useful if small batteries are the part you’d rather avoid.
Signia Silk Charge&Go IX
CIC · instant-fit · rechargeable
from £3,295 a pair
Uses soft silicone sleeves instead of an ear impression, so it can often be fitted the same day. Rechargeable, and genuinely discreet in the canal.
Signia Active Pro IX
Earbud style · instant-fit
£3,695 a pair
Discreet by disguise rather than by size — it reads as a wireless earbud, not a hearing aid. A good answer for people who dislike the idea of a hearing aid more than the look of one.
Signia Active Mini IX
Ready-to-wear in-the-ear · instant-fit
£3,895 a pair
The same idea in a noticeably smaller shell, for ears that find the standard Active a little bulky.
Oticon Zeal
Completely-in-canal · dome or custom fit · rechargeable
£3,995 a pair
Oticon’s deep-fitting completely-in-canal aid — rechargeable, with Bluetooth streaming and Auracast, and fitted with domes on the day or with a custom micro-mould. One level only: their best.
Phonak Virto Infinio
Custom in-ear · three levels
from £4,400 a pair
Phonak’s custom in-ear range, with their speech-processing technology in a shell made from your own ear impression.
All eight discreet hearing aids compared
Every model on this page in one table. Prices are per pair at our clinics.
Swipe the table sideways to compare →
| Feature |  Signia Insio Charge&Go IX |  Oticon Own |  Widex Allure ITE |  Signia Silk Charge&Go IX |  Signia Active Pro IX |  Signia Active Mini IX |  Oticon Zeal |  Phonak Virto Infinio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Invisible / completely-in-canal (IIC/CIC) | Custom IIC to full-shell ITE | Custom in-the-ear (ITE) | Completely-in-canal (CIC) | Earbud style | Ready-to-wear in-the-ear | Completely-in-canal (CIC) | Custom in-the-ear |
| How it is fitted | Custom — ear impression | Custom — ear impression | Custom — ear impression | Same-day fit — silicone sleeves | Ready to wear | Ready to wear | Domes on the day, or custom micro-mould | Custom — ear impression |
| Rechargeable | Yes — Charge&Go CIC up to 35 h; IIC uses batteries | No — long-life batteries | Yes — contactless, ~4 h full charge | Yes — up to 28 hours | Yes — up to 29 hours (5 h streaming) | Yes — up to 21 hours | Yes — up to 20 hours | Yes — Virto R up to 30 h; smallest shells use batteries |
| Streaming | App control | Bluetooth on selected larger styles | Hands-free Bluetooth calls | App control (no audio streaming) | MFi, ASHA and LE Audio | MFi, ASHA and LE Audio | Bluetooth LE streaming + Auracast™ | Bluetooth on selected models |
| Technology levels | Five: 1IX – 7IX | Five levels | Four levels | 3IX / 5IX / 7IX | One level | One level | One level | Three levels |
| Price per pair | £1,695–£3,495 | £2,495–£3,695 | £2,995–£3,695 | £3,295–£3,695 | £3,695 | £3,895 | £3,995 | £4,400–£4,800 |
| Full details | Prices & details → | Prices & details → | Prices & details → | Prices & details → | Prices & details → | Prices & details → | Prices & details → | Prices & details → |
Manufacturer specifications; prices per pair at The Hearing Specialist, including fitting, a 4-year warranty and 4 years of unlimited aftercare.
Suitability
When a discreet aid is right — and when it is not
Usually a good fit
- Mild to moderate hearing loss, and many moderately severe losses
- Glasses or face-mask wearers — nothing sits behind the ear
- Anyone for whom discretion is the thing standing between them and treatment
- Ears with a reasonably wide, healthy canal
Worth a longer conversation
- Narrow, bendy or very short canals — the deepest fittings may not seat properly
- Heavy ear wax production, which reaches the filters faster in-canal
- Dexterity or vision difficulties — small shells and small batteries are fiddly
- Severe to profound loss, which often needs more power than the smallest shells hold
What we will tell you
If an invisible aid will not do your hearing justice, we will say so at the assessment and explain what would. We would rather lose the sale than fit something that leaves you disappointed in six weeks — which is usually how people end up with a drawer full of unworn hearing aids.
How it works
From assessment to fitting
1. The assessment — £59
A full examination of both ears, pure-tone audiometry, and your results explained the same day with a written report and your audiogram to keep. About an hour, unhurried.
2. Choosing the style
We look at your canal and your audiogram together and tell you which of the four fittings are genuinely available to you, and what each would mean day to day.
3. Impression or instant fit
Custom models need a soft impression of your ear, taken in clinic in a few minutes. Instant-fit models such as the Signia Silk use silicone sleeves and can often be fitted the same day.
4. Trial, then aftercare
A seven-day home trial in your own life, not our clinic. Then four years of unlimited aftercare with your own audiologist — adjustments, cleaning and checks included.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Are invisible hearing aids genuinely invisible?
The invisible-in-canal styles sit deep enough that nobody sees them in ordinary conversation — someone would have to look directly into your ear. Completely-in-canal models sit a little further out and are near-invisible. In-the-ear models fill part of the ear bowl and can be seen if someone looks. We will show you honestly where each one sits in your ear before you decide.
Will an invisible aid be powerful enough for my hearing?
Often, but not always. The smallest shells hold the smallest receivers, so very severe losses usually need more power than an invisible fitting can carry. Your audiogram answers this in about an hour, and if a discreet aid will not do your hearing justice we will tell you plainly rather than sell you one.
Can I have one if my ear canal is narrow or bendy?
Not always. Invisible fittings need a reasonably wide, straight and healthy canal to sit deep enough. We examine both ears at the assessment and tell you on the day which styles are realistic for your anatomy.
What if I produce a lot of ear wax?
Wax is the main practical limitation of in-canal aids — it sits closer to where wax forms and the filters need changing more often. It does not rule them out, but it is worth discussing, and we would usually want your ears clear before taking an impression.
Do you need to take an impression of my ear?
For the custom models, yes — a soft impression taken in clinic, which takes a few minutes. The instant-fit models such as the Signia Silk use silicone sleeves instead, so they can often be fitted at the same appointment.
What does it cost, and what is included?
Discreet aids start at £1,695 a pair, or from £798 for a single aid. Every price includes the prescription fitting, all follow-up adjustments, a four-year warranty and four years of unlimited aftercare with your own audiologist. The hearing assessment itself is £59.
Where to find us
Four clinics across south and west London
Can’t get to a clinic? We offer home visit hearing tests across the areas around our clinics.
See which discreet aids suit your ears
A complete £59 hearing assessment, same-day results, and an honest answer about what will and will not work for your hearing.