Invisible Hearing Aids: How Completely-in-Canal Models Work

One of the most common reasons people put off getting hearing aids is how they look. Completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids solve most of that: they sit inside your ear canal, so from the outside there is very little to see. Here is how they work and whether one might suit you.

What does "completely-in-canal" mean?

A CIC hearing aid is a small shell that fits inside the ear canal itself, rather than behind the ear or in the bowl of the outer ear. A soft ear tip holds it in place. Depending on the shape of your ear, the outer end may sit just inside the opening of the canal, where it is very hard to notice.

How a CIC hearing aid works

Every hearing aid has the same basic parts, just packed into different shapes:

• A microphone picks up sound around you.
• A processor splits that sound into frequency channels and boosts the ones you need, while turning down steady background noise.
• A receiver (a tiny speaker) plays the processed sound into your ear canal.
• A battery powers it, either a small disposable battery or a rechargeable one.

Because a CIC sits in the canal, the outer ear still collects and funnels sound naturally, which many people find makes the sound feel more natural.

Hearing aid styles compared

Who a CIC hearing aid suits

• People with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss
• Anyone who wants their hearing aids to be as discreet as possible
• People who wear glasses or masks, since nothing sits behind the ear

Trade-offs to know about

• Handling. They are small. If you have stiff fingers or limited dexterity, a larger style may be easier.
• Earwax. Because they sit in the canal, they need a quick daily clean. Wipe them with a dry, soft cloth and brush the sound opening.
• Fit. Ear canals vary. Try the different ear tip sizes for a day each to find the one that seals gently without pressure.
• Controls. There is little room for buttons, so most CIC models use one button or switch modes automatically.

Rechargeable vs disposable batteries

Older CIC hearing aids used tiny disposable batteries that needed changing every few days. Newer models, like the HEARVELA Mini, are rechargeable: you drop them in a pocket-sized charging case at night. The Mini switches off on its own in the case and back on when you take it out.

Can a CIC hearing aid have Bluetooth?

Some can. The HEARVELA Mini streams calls, videos and music from your phone straight to your ears, and it has an 8-channel digital processor and 4 sound modes you switch with one button.

Getting started

Whatever style you choose, give yourself a couple of weeks to adjust. Start with a few hours a day in quiet places and build up. Our guide to getting used to new hearing aids walks you through the first two weeks.