Invisible Hearing Aids
Discreet hearing solutions that nobody needs to see
What are invisible hearing aids?
Invisible hearing aids sit deep within the ear canal, out of sight of others. Because they are placed beyond the visible part of the ear, they cannot usually be seen at all in day-to-day conversation — making them the most discreet hearing solution available.
For many people, discretion is the deciding factor in whether they wear hearing aids at all. Invisible styles remove that barrier completely, while still delivering clear, natural sound.
Types of Invisible Hearing Aids
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)
CIC hearing aids are custom-made to sit fully inside the ear canal, with only a small removal cord visible on close inspection.
- Custom-made from an impression of your ear
- Barely visible when worn
- Suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss
- Removed and cleaned daily
Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC)
IIC hearing aids sit deeper still, positioned close to the eardrum so they are effectively invisible in everyday use.
- The smallest custom hearing aid style
- Virtually undetectable when worn
- Uses the natural shape of your ear for sound
- Depends on ear canal size and shape
Extended Wear (Phonak Lyric)
Lyric is placed in the ear canal by an audiologist and worn continuously for months at a time — 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- 100% invisible when worn
- No daily insertion or removal
- No batteries to change or charge
- Available on an annual subscription
Which style suits you best depends on your hearing levels, the size and shape of your ear canals, and how much day-to-day maintenance you want to take on.
Who are invisible hearing aids suitable for?
May be suitable if:
- Mild to moderately severe hearing loss
- Discretion is your highest priority
- You wear glasses, masks, or headwear regularly
- Your ear canals are a suitable size and shape
- You want nothing sitting behind the ear
May not be suitable if:
- Hearing loss is severe or profound
- Your ear canals are particularly narrow or bendy
- You produce a significant amount of earwax
- You need Bluetooth streaming or rechargeable batteries
A short assessment, including a look inside your ears, tells us quickly whether an invisible style will work for you.
Benefits of Invisible Hearing Aids
Sitting deep in the ear canal brings advantages beyond appearance alone:
Complete Discretion
Nothing is visible from the outside, so your hearing aids stay entirely private.
Natural Sound Direction
Sound is collected by the outer ear as nature intended, which helps you judge where sounds are coming from.
Less Wind Noise
Deep placement shelters the microphone from wind, a common frustration with behind-the-ear styles.
No Interference
Nothing to catch on glasses, face masks, hats, or hearing protection.
Because of their size, invisible hearing aids have less room for features such as Bluetooth streaming or rechargeable batteries — something we'll talk through with you honestly.
Phonak Lyric – The 100% Invisible Hearing Aid
Phonak Lyric is unlike any other hearing aid. It is placed deep inside the ear canal by a trained audiologist and stays there for months at a time — so there is nothing to put in each morning, nothing to take out at night, and nothing for anyone to see.
- 100% invisible — no one will know you're wearing it
- Worn 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- No batteries to change or recharge
- Fitted without surgery, in a single appointment
Sussex Audiology Centre is an authorised Lyric provider, so you can be assessed, fitted, and looked after locally.
View the Phonak Lyric
How Phonak Lyric Works
Professionally Placed
Your audiologist positions Lyric deep in the ear canal, close to the eardrum. The process is quick, comfortable, and requires no surgery or anaesthetic.
Worn Around the Clock
Lyric stays in place while you sleep, shower, exercise, and go about your day — so you hear continuously, without routine.
No Battery Worries
The battery is sealed inside the device and designed to last for months. There is nothing to charge, open, or replace.
Replaced, Not Repaired
When a device reaches the end of its life, you return to the clinic and a fresh one is fitted — included within your subscription.
How long each device lasts varies from person to person, depending on your ears, your hearing levels, and the environments you spend time in.
Why People Choose Lyric
Lyric suits people who want their hearing sorted, without thinking about it:
Truly Invisible
Phonak describe Lyric as the world's only 100% invisible hearing aid. Nothing sits in the outer ear or behind it.
Natural Sound Quality
Sitting close to the eardrum, Lyric makes full use of your ear's own anatomy, which many wearers describe as sounding remarkably natural.
Hearing Through the Night
Because Lyric is worn while you sleep, you can still hear an alarm, a doorbell, or a family member during the night.
Helpful for Tinnitus
Continuous, round-the-clock amplification can help mask tinnitus, including at night when many people find it most intrusive.
Nothing to Remember
No inserting, removing, cleaning, drying, or charging. Lyric simply stays where it is.
Cost Spread Annually
Lyric is provided on an annual subscription covering your devices, replacements, and appointments throughout the year.
Lyric works differently to every other hearing aid, so we always recommend an honest conversation about whether that difference suits your life. See full Phonak Lyric details →
Is Phonak Lyric right for you?
Lyric may suit you if:
- You want a hearing aid nobody can see
- You'd rather not handle small devices daily
- You have mild to moderately severe hearing loss
- Your tinnitus is worse at night
- You're happy with an ongoing subscription
Lyric may not suit you if:
- Your ear canal shape or size isn't suitable
- You have ongoing ear health or wax problems
- You want Bluetooth streaming from your phone or TV
- You scuba dive or skydive, where pressure changes are a factor
- You'd prefer to own your hearing aids outright
Lyric isn't suitable for everyone. A consultation confirms whether your ears are a good match before you commit to anything.
Trying Lyric at Sussex Audiology Centre
Getting started is straightforward:
- A full hearing assessment and examination of your ears
- A candidacy check to confirm Lyric will fit comfortably
- Fitting in clinic, with sound fine-tuned to your hearing
- A trial period so you can experience Lyric in real life
- Ongoing appointments and replacements as part of your subscription
As an independent practice, we'll tell you plainly if another style would serve you better — including our full range of CIC and IIC hearing aids.
Book a Consultation
What to Consider Before Choosing an Invisible Style
Invisible hearing aids are a wonderful option for the right person. We'll always talk through:
Hearing Levels
Your degree and type of hearing loss
Ear Canal Anatomy
The size, shape, and health of your ears
Dexterity
How comfortable you are handling small devices
Connectivity Needs
Whether streaming and app control matter to you
Earwax and Moisture
How your ears cope with a device sitting in the canal
Budget and Ownership
Buying outright versus an annual subscription
There's no pressure and no obligation — just clear, independent advice on what will genuinely work for you.
