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Starkey Hearing Aids Review
Starkey Hearing Technologies is an American-owned and operated hearing aid manufacturer. Their devices use the latest technology and are known to be reliable, and they are one of the most trusted brands in the market. The company caters to all types of hearing loss, everything from mild to severe.
Quick Stats
About Starkey
Starkey Hearing Technologies has been in business for over 50 years; they started out in 1967 as a hearing aid retail and repair business. Over the years, they started developing their own hearing aids until they became one of the world's top hearing aid companies.
The company is a U.S-based, privately held company headquartered in Eden Praire. They are constantly looking for ways to improve their products, investing in research and development.
The Better Business Bearue has accredited Starkey with an A+. Four complaints have been filed against them, and they have actively responded to each one.
Starkey Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in different types and styles; you can take a quick quiz on their website to find which hearing aid fits you best. They are all designed to fit your ears mold, and they come in a variety of colors.
They offer six general designs to choose from:
- Behind The Ear (BTE): This is the most common type of hearing aid, and they have three types available; Standard, Mini, and Power. Just as the name suggests, this aid sits right behind the ear.
- In The Ear (ITE): This has to be customized to fit the outer part of the ear; you get a volume control feature, but the device can pick up wind sounds.
- Receiver In Canal (RIC): This is a more discreet hearing aid; it is small and usually recommended for people who are wearing the aid for the first time. A receiver goes inside the ear, and it is connected by a tiny wire to a hearing aid that sits behind the ear.
- In The Canal (ITC): This is a custom hearing aid that sits inside the ear canal; it is small, so it is less visible than the previous designs, though a small portion still shows in the outer ear. As a result, people might struggle to get it in and out.
- Completely In Canal (CIC): This is another custom design by Starkey; it is almost completely invisible apart from the tiny removal handle that shows outside the canal.
- Invisible (IIC): This is made for people who don't feel comfortable or want to show their hearing aid to others. It sits well inside the ear canal, making it hard for people to get in and out of their ears. Unfortunately, this type of hearing aid does not work for everyone; people with small or windy canals have to choose a different option.
Hearing Aids Technology
Once you've chosen the right style for you, Starkey offers a number of different options when it comes to the actual hearing aid. This is determined by the level of hearing loss you're experiencing and the environment around you. Each model comes with different features, but they are all geared towards people with mild to severe hearing loss.
| Model | Type of hearing aid | features |
|---|---|---|
| Evolv AI | BTE, ITE, RIC, ITC, IIC, CIC | Music optimization, Fall alert, Edge mode, TeleHear, Activity Tracker, Advanced Tinnitus technology, Wireless streaming, Bluetooth accessories, Rechargeable options, and Language Translation. |
| Livio Edge AI | ITC, ITE, RIC, BTE | Twenty-four hours charge, Mask mode, Thrive assistant, TeleHear, Wireless streaming, Advanced Tinnitus technology, Bluetooth accessories, Activity tracker, rechargeable options, Language translation, and fall detection. |
| Livio AI | BTE, RIC, ITC, ITE | Wireless streaming, Music optimization, Bluetooth accessories, rechargeable options, activity tracking, and Transcription. |
| Livio | BTE, RIC, ITC, ITE | Rechargeable options, Tinnitus technology, Bluetooth accessories, and Music optimization. |
Starkey accessories
Starkey offers their customers accessories that can be paired with the hearing aids:
Wireless accessories
- TV Streamer: This helps stream audio from your TV and any other electronic audio source and takes it directly to your hearing aid.
- Remote Microphone+: This allows you to eliminate noises around you and have a one-on-one conversation.
- Mini Remote Microphone: This is a small device that you can clip into the clothing of the person you are talking to or place it near a sound source to stream TV.
- Remote: You can control memory and volume, mute your hearing aid, and switch other features on and off.
SurfLink accessories
- SurfLink Mini Mobile: This Connects any mobile device with Bluetooth to your hearing aid.
- SurfLink Media 2: This is their first set-and-forget wireless transmitter.
- SurfLink Remote: A remote is available to adjust volume, memory, and mode.
- SurfLink Remote Microphone 2: This is a lightweight microphone that is worn by the person you are speaking to; it helps focus the conversation.
Hearing protection
- SoundGear Phantom
- Electronic hearing protection
- Traditional hearing protection
Starkey apps
Starkey has developed an app that helps add a few extra features to their hearing aids. The app is called Thrive, and it can be downloaded in the app store for free.
The app helps you with:
- Medication reminders
- Fall detection
- Hearing control
- Care
- Tinnitus relief
- Hearing test
- Hearing control
- Fall detection
- Physical activity tracker
- Social engagement tracker
Starkey Costs
The price varies depending on the style and features you choose; the audiologist sets their prices, so the total costs include service visits, fitting sessions with a professional, and the hearing aid device.
The total costs are:
- Evolv Al: This hearing aid costs about $2,500 to $4,200 per pair, depending on the style, tech level, and audiologist; optional AI accessories cost more.
- Livio Edge AI: Their prices range around $4,900 per pair, depending on the style, tech level, and audiologist; the accessories will add to the total cost.
- Livio AI: Costs approximately $2,500 to $4,000 per pair, depending on the style, tech level, and audiologist; optional AI accessories will increase costs.
- Livio: This is the basic model, and it costs between $2,000 to $3,900 per pair, depending on the style, tech level, and audiologist.
Other ways to pay for the device
Hearing aids can be pricy; to make them accessible for everyone, they offer financing options. The monthly payments are budget-friendly, but there are other ways to afford them:
- Private health insurance
- Flexible medical spending plans
- Health saving plans
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Veteran benefits
- Credit financing programs
- State vocational rehabilitation programs
- Service organizations
- A sponsor
Starkey Customer Support
To contact Starkey about their hearing aids, you can call +1-877-791-1385. Business hours are not mentioned on their website; each state has its own authorized retail shop. However, if you have any questions that aren't answered on their website, you can fill out an online form, and they'll reach out to you.
If you have any general questions go to their website and click on "Support," there are tons of videos and learn how articles that are comprehensive and might answer all your questions. If you need help navigating through their website, they've got a live chat that will point you in the right direction.
Conclusion
Starkey hearing devices provide solutions for all degrees of hearing loss and tinnitus. In addition, they have authorized retailers nationwide, so there is always a shop near you in case you need them at any time. All their devices use the latest technologies, plus they come in different designs and styles to fit everyone's preferences.
Their prices are on the higher end, but they offer payment plans and various options to make them accessible to everyone.