If you are looking for a hearing aid that is nearly invisible in the ear or looks so much like a regular Bluetooth earbud that no one would know you’re actually wearing a hearing aid, this is the list for you.
Over-the-counter hearing aids have opened the doors for many companies to develop different styles and sizes of hearing aids. These are not your traditional looking hearing aids so most people would not know you’re wearing a hearing aid at all.
I have broken down a list of the best and most discreet over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. What makes these the best are a few metrics we have determined are most important when it comes to purchasing OTC hearing aids that are discreet:
- Size and style
- Comfort
- Sound quality
- Customization
- Other features such as rechargeability and/or Bluetooth capability
Pros of Discreet OTC Hearing Aids
These are some of the smallest over-the-counter hearing aids on the market. The cosmetic appearance of these hearing aids is the main reason someone opts for these hearing aids. If you are hoping to disguise the fact that you’re wearing hearing aids, then these would be your best over-the-counter options.
Some people wish to disguise their hearing aids because they believe people will think they’re old, incapable or disabled. Unfortunately this negative stigma about hearing aids still exists. I believe the stigma is improving and I am hopeful that hearing aids will be more accepted.
Cons of Discreet OTC Hearing Aids
The biggest negative of small discreet or earbud style hearing aids is the comfort. Since these are over-the-counter devices, the fit of the device in the ear canal is not custom as it would be with a prescription hearing aid. Therefore, the chances of it being comfortable enough to wear all waking hours of the day (which I recommend) is slim.
They come with different size ear tips but sometimes that is not enough to make them comfortable enough to wear all day, or even more than a few hours at a time. The comfort of a hearing aid is really important so that you can use the hearing aids effectively and get the most benefit from them. Be sure to consider this when purchasing a discreet OTC hearing aid.
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