What Are the Best Invisible-Style Hearing Aids in 2025?

Hearing aids are getting smaller and smarter. Leading brands now offer advanced features like rechargeable batteries, self-fitting software and even artificial intelligence.

In 2022, the FDA allowed hearing aids to be sold over the counter for the first time in 50 years, opening the door for new players like Sony to introduce impressive innovations. This shift caught the attention of The New York Times, which has reported a growing trend of hearing aid adoption among younger people.

The "best hearing aid" varies from person to person. It all comes down to understanding your specific hearing needs. A few things to consider:

• Hearing Loss Level: If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can purchase over-the-counter hearing aids without needing a doctor’s visit. Take our test here to assess your hearing loss level.
• Device Style: Consider your style preference—such as discreet in-ear models—and weigh that against the technology features you value (i.e. Bluetooth streaming) and your budget. More on styles below.
• In-Ear Devices: This guide highlights our favorite in-ear devices, like Sony and Eargo. For our full guide, including behind-the-ear options, head over here.

How We Review Products

At Soundly, our team evaluates the best hearing aids on the market every month. We wear, test, and compare new products, sharing our top picks across various price ranges and features. This guide focuses on our favorite in-ear (or "invisible-style") devices.

As one of the leading independent retailers and hearing care providers in the U.S., Soundly fits hearing aids from a wide range of different brands each month, giving us a unique perspective on which products truly perform.

Understanding Hearing Aid Styles.

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is what style of hearing aid you want. Hearing aid styles generally fall into two groups: behind-the-ear styles and in-the-ear styles.

Behind-the-ear styles are chosen by the majority of hearing aid wearers and tend to have more features like Bluetooth streaming and longer-lasting rechargeable batteries.

In-the-ear styles are most often chosen for their invisibility, ease of handling and comfort with glasses, masks or oxygen.

If you aren’t sure which style you want, you can read more about each one here.

Next up, let's talk about care models.

The other big decision you’ll need to make before you get new hearing aids is how you want to have them programmed to match your specific hearing loss.

Option #1 OTC

If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can now program your own hearing aids using a smartphone and purchase them over-the-counter. This option became available in late 2022 and is popular among younger users and budget-conscious shoppers. However, OTC hearing aids are only suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Sony CRE-C20 and Eargo 7 both fit in this category as do popular behind the ear products like Sennheiser All Day Clear.

Option #2 Telehealth

Several leading brands now offer telehealth programming, allowing you to take a hearing test online or submit one from a local provider. A professional will then program your hearing aids based on your test results and ship them directly to your door. This service typically costs less than traditional in-person care. Our top telehealth pick is Jabra Enhance Select, though they don't offer in-ear devices, which is the focus of this guide. For telecare and in-ear hearing aids, our recommended choice is Hear.com.

Option #3 Local Care  

For those who prefer face-to-face testing and professional programming, visiting a local hearing care provider is a good option. A specialist will conduct a booth hearing test and use proprietary software to program your hearing aids according to your specific needs. This hands-on service typically provides a highly customized fit, making it ideal for those with more complex (or severe) hearing loss. However, this level of care comes with a higher price, often starting around $4,000. Hear.com and Zip Hearing are good sources for local clinics.

Why We Rank Sony CRE-C20 #1

We've curated this list to offer a range of "invisible" hearing aids that cater to different budgets and care preferences. You may wonder why we’ve ranked the Sony CRE-C20 as our top choice over other impressive alternatives like Eargo and Signia Silk.‍

• ‍Overall Value: At under $1,000 per pair, the CRE-C20 delivers the same high-quality technology you’d find in clinics, plus it includes a free setup call with an audiologist when you purchase through Soundly—a hard-to-beat combination.‍
• Form Factor: We love the comfortable fit and variety of sleeves included with each pair. These devices are nearly invisible in most ears, which aligns perfectly with the focus of this guide.‍
• Sound Quality: Sony’s 2024 release features significant improvements, particularly in background noise reduction and handling sudden sounds, making it a standout option in its category.‍
• Ease of Use: While Sony’s app isn’t perfect, it’s solid, offering hundreds of thousands of customizable combinations to suit a wide range of mild-to-moderate hearing losses.

Is Sony the only good option? Absolutely not. The same technology is available in clinics under the Signia Silk name, which includes hands-on care and offers options for more severe hearing loss—but at a higher price. Many customers also swear by the Eargo 7 for its premium feel, open ear-tips and sleek design.

Many hearing aid wearers also find that compact behind-the-ear hearing aids like Sennheiser All Day Clear offer a great blend of all day comfort, Bluetooth connectivity and relative invisibility behind the ear.

Need Help Choosing?

Soundly.com is a leading online shopping destination for hearing aid wearers. Our team includes hearing aid wearers, audiologists, and industry veterans. Read more about Soundly's story here.

If you are just beginning your research, we recommend starting with a hearing test. The test will provide you with a chart of your hearing loss and a clearer picture of your options.

You can also take Soundly's 5-minute quiz, and a member of our team will review the results and provide a product recommendation based on your results.