Starkey Hearing Aid Review: 2025 Cost and Pricing

Pros and Cons of Starkey Hearing Aids

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. Starkey is an innovative company that regularly releases new models. In the last few years, they have released these hearing aid families:

2024: Edge AI, Signature Series
2023: Genesis AI
2021: Evolv AI
2018: Livio AI

Currently, Starkey sells four different models: Edge AI, Genesis AI, Evolv AI, and Livio AI, all of which can be fit differently by your audiologist. These models can be fit and adjusted completely remotely as well, if your hearing health-care provider supports telehealth.

The Expert Take

From Kasey Craig

I have had patients who lived very remotely and struggled to come into the office for adjustments, despite needing them. If you have transportation issues of any kind, a hearing aid that can be programmed remotely can mean that many appointments can be done from the comfort of your home.

Edge AI

Starkey’s most advanced model, Edge AI, was released in October 2024. All the Edge styles, which include the mini receiver-in-canal (RIC), RIC, and custom aids, are identical to the previous model, Genesis AI, but with additional waterproofing. The biggest changes are on the inside. Edge AI features superb sound performance in addition to artificial intelligence, which allows for health tracking and automatic adjustments. It also features:

• Pro8 HydraShield: waterproof up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) for 30 minutes
• G2 Neuro Processor: This integrated AI sound processor uses a Deep Neural Network (DNN) to process language in a way similar to how the brain would, which provides real-time adaptation to the sound environment to enhance speech and reduce noise.
• Bluetooth technology: makes it a breeze to connect your TV or phone to your hearing aids for direct streaming
• Rechargeable batteries: batteries last up to 51 hours on a single 3.5-hour charge, one of the longest battery lives in the industry
• Edge Mode: an even more active AI sound processor that can be manually controlled and turned on and off by the user. If you are an IOS user, it can even be controlled via the Apple Watch!
• Auracast: Edge AI hearing aids have Auracast hardware, so after a firmware update, the aids become Auracast-compatible. Auracast is a Bluetooth technology that allows a single source to broadcast sound to multiple receivers. Imagine there is a muted TV in a waiting room that is broadcasting with Auracast. You could tune in with your hearing aids or headphones and receive the broadcast directly, at whatever volume you choose. It’s likely that Auracast will be available in many public spaces in the future, so these hearing aids put you ahead of the curve.
• Fall detection: similar to that of a medical alert system, which will automatically detect a fall and notify the contacts you choose.
• Body tracking: tracks your daily movements and monitors your physical activity.
• Tinnitus masking: allows users to dull the symptoms of tinnitus through the strategic deployment of soothing noises.

Genesis AI

The Genesis AI hearing aid 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: that allows 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.

While Genesis AI is not as advanced as Edge AI, it makes up for this with compatible accessories. Genesis AI is compatible with StarLink Remote Control 2.0, the StarLink Mini Remote Microphone, the StarLink TV Streamer, StarLink Remote Microphone + and the StarLink Table Microphone. Remote microphones are a great choice for people who are regularly in large spaces, such as a long conference table, for example. You can set the mic on one end of the table while you sit at the other and have all the sound from the mic streamed directly into your hearing aids!

Evolv AI

Although Evolv AI is an older model, it is still sold by Starkey. It’s the only Starkey aid to come in a traditional behind-the-ear style and has a tube rather than a wire, like RICs have. Some hearing aid users need traditional BTEs for medical reasons, such as frequent ear drainage. If your hearing health-care provider has recommended you stick with traditional BTEs, the Evolv AI is an excellent choice that still includes AI processing, fall detection, and app control. Evolv AI aids offer:

• Direct streaming: from phones, music players, and televisions.
• 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.

Signature Series

In April 2024, Starkey released its Signature Series, the first invisible, completely-in-the-canal (CIC) rechargeable aids. The signature series also offers tinnitus masking and noise reduction. Starkey is known for well-fitting custom aids, and the Signature Series is no exception. However, if you’re looking for audio streaming from your phone or TV, it would be better to consider a custom-style Evolv AI, Genesis AI, or Edge AI, because the Signature Series is too small for a wireless chip and does not have wireless connectivity.

The Expert Take

From Kasey Craig

I have had many patients come into my office dead set on an invisible CIC hearing aid, but that just wasn’t the hearing aid that best met all their needs. Even if you are pretty sure you know what style of aid you want, it’s best to keep an open mind until you can test the sound quality. You might be surprised what winds up working best for you! Most behind-the-ear aids now are so tiny, they are practically invisible.

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. If you are eligible for veterans’ benefits, you may be able to get hearing aids completely covered through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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.