Starkey Hearing Aid Review: 2024 Cost and Pricing
A privately-owned company based in the United States, Starkey Hearing Technologies has been in operation for more than 50 years. Once a small business, it’s since become a world leader in hearing aid technology, offering a wide variety of products for hard-of-hearing people of all ages. Today, the company’s products are sold in more than 100 countries around the world, and they’re one of our favorite hearing aid manufacturers.
Our Favorite OTC Brands
While Starkey hearing aids work well for some, they can easily cost upward of $4,000 for a pair, not to mention they require in-person audiologist visits. If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, then one of these three hearing aid brands might be right for you. Each of them offers devices for under $1,5000 for a pair.
Pros and Cons of Starkey Hearing Aids
Starkey Pros
- Wide range of models and styles
- Suitable for all levels of hearing loss
- Thrive hearing app
- Made-for-iPhone technology
- Tinnitus therapies
- Medical alert features
Starkey Cons
- Cannot be purchased online
- Potentially more costly than other brands
Starkey Hearing Aid Models
Starkey hearing aids come in a wide variety of models and styles, including RIC, CIC, BTE, and invisible hearing aids. When it comes to technology, their latest models feature advanced sound processing, Bluetooth technology, and even artificial intelligence that can track a user’s physical and brain health.
Currently, Starkey has three different models: Livio Edge AI, Livio AI, Livio, and Picasso, all of which can be fit differently by your audiologist.
Older Models: Depending on where you purchase from, you may be able to find older models such as Starkey’s Halo.
Livio Edge AI
Starkey’s most advanced model, Livio Edge AI, features superb sound performance, in addition to artificial intelligence which allows for health tracking and automatic adjustments. It also features:
- Noise suppression, allowing you to tune out background sounds in noisy environments.
- Amplification, which boosts the sounds of people you’re listening to, making it easier to hear them.
- Bluetooth technology, making it a breeze to connect your TV or phone to your hearing aids for direct streaming.
- Rechargeable batteries that can last up to 24 hours on a single charge.
- Speech enhancement through artificial intelligence that improves one’s ability to understand and follow conversations.
- Fall detection similar to that of a medical alert system, which will automatically detect a fall and notify contacts.
- Body tracking that will track your daily movements and monitor your physical activity.
- Tinnitus masking allows users to dull the symptoms of tinnitus through the strategic deployment of soothing noises.
COVID Hearing Aids: Many Starkey models feature a mask mode that will boost speech frequencies so that you can hear people better even while they’re wearing masks.
Livio AI
The Livio AI combines incredible sound performance with unique health features, making this hearing aid one component of an overall health monitoring strategy. Its features include:
- Rechargeable batteries that can last up to 24 hours per charge.
- Bluetooth technology allowing for direct streaming of phone calls, music, and television.
- Personalized memories of sound environments so you can save your settings between them. For example, in a coffee shop, this model can remember to tune out more background noise.
- Body tracking that will record daily metrics of your movement.
Picasso
Starkey’s Picasso model uses a custom, invisible fit without sacrificing sound quality or other advanced features. Its other features include:
- Direct streaming from phones, music players, and televisions.
- Discreet fit that is virtually invisible.
- Adaptive listening that will automatically adjust sound settings based upon background noise and geographic location.
- Feedback reduction that will eliminate buzzing or whistling noises from your hearing.
Starkey Hearing Aids Pricing
Starkey Hearing Technologies does not sell its hearing devices directly to consumers. Therefore, prices can vary depending on the model, its specific features, and even which distributor you purchase from. Generally speaking, Starkey hearing aids will range from $1,500 – $3,000 per hearing aid, making them one of the premium hearing aid manufacturers.
With that said, Starkey strives to provide affordable devices and offers a variety of payment plans and financing options. Discounts may be available through the Veterans’ Administration or other charitable organizations, and some models offer limited 30-day free trials.
To purchase a hearing aid from Starkey, you’ll want to start by visiting your local audiologist or hearing health provider. There, they’ll conduct a hearing test, assess your needs, and ultimately suggest the right model to assist your hearing. They’ll also fit and program your hearing aids, something you won’t get when purchasing directly online.
Starkey Accessories
In addition to the hearing aids themselves, Starkey also offers accessories that can augment the functionality of their aids.
- TV Streamers allow you to stream audio directly from your TV or another audio source to your hearing aids.
- Remote Microphones and Table Microphones can make it easier to hear people in noisy settings. By placing a remote microphone in front of your conversation partner, you’ll be able to better tune out background noise and hone in on your conversation.
Starkey also features two different apps that provide additional hearing features.
- Thrive Hearing Control allows you to adjust volume, change sound settings, and even monitor activity levels right from your smartphone.
- Thrive Care allows you to share these metrics with a network of loved ones and caregivers.
Are Starkey Hearing Aids Good?
Starkey Hearing Technologies strives to provide affordable and innovative listening devices that suit a range of needs for all types of people. While they are certainly on the higher end when it comes to price, few other hearing aid brands deliver such exceptional sound quality. This, combined with their advanced healthcare features, make Starkey one of our favorite hearing aid providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do Starkey hearing aids cost?
Since they are not sold directly to consumers, Starkey hearing aid prices will vary depending upon the model, style, and the place where you purchase it from.
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Can Starkey hearing aids cure tinnitus?
While there is no cure for tinnitus, some Starkey hearing aids feature tinnitus therapies that can help treat the conditions of tinnitus.
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How do you adjust Starkey hearing aids?
Starkey hearing aids can be adjusted remotely or through their smartphone apps and remote controls.