Starkey Genesis AI Hearing Aid
Reviews, Prices, and Sound Samples
Genesis AI is the latest flagship hearing aid family from Starkey launched in February 2023. It delivers industry-leading rechargeable battery life, improved processing speeds, and a completely new design. I was impressed with the comfort and performance of Genesis AI and would recommend it to anyone wanting a rechargeable hearing aid with fitness tracking and fall detection.
For my review, I spent some time with the Genesis AI 24 RIC RT.
Genesis AI Pros
Genesis AI Cons
Who is Starkey Genesis AI for?
- You want the best - Genesis AI RIC devices are ideal if you are looking to maximize your hearing abilities with top-of-the line traditional hearing aids. They are highly advanced, compatible with both iOS and Android devices, can be paired with an extensive library of assistive wireless technologies, and must be fit by a hearing care professional.
- You have a flexible budget - Genesis AI hearing aids are the latest generation of technology from Starkey. They are therefore more expensive due to both the research and development behind the devices as well as the professional assistance you will receive from a hearing care professional.
- You like hands-on support - Your hearing care professional will guide you through the fitting process and assist you with general use. This also extends to the more fancy My Starkey app features. Regardless of your needs, you professional is there to help.
- You might benefit from health-related monitoring - The My Starkey app includes step counting, standing time, exercise, as well as a fall alert that can automatically contact someone in the event of a tumble. Upon request, these functions can also be shared with a loved one for added safety at home or when you're on-the-go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starkey claims their AI can further improve speech clarity and decrease listening effort. This is due to their onboard deep neural network (DNN) engine being trained to mimic how our hearing system processes and “hears” sound.
Starkey’s Genesis AI RIC RT is currently the industry’s longest-lasting lithium-ion rechargeable battery having a life of up to 51 hours (without streaming). The battery life is slightly shorter at up to 41 hours with their smaller mRIC R style.
Yes, Starkey integrates their Multiflex Tinnitus Technology sound therapy into all of their hearing aids. This can be set up and tuned for your personal needs with your hearing care professional. Starkey also offers Relax, their iOS- and Android-compatible tinnitus app.
Genesis AI overview
Genesis AI was released February 28, 2023, and is Starkey Hearing’s latest technology. They are available in the most popular styles ranging from receiver-in-canal (RIC) to invisible-in-canal (IIC). You can also choose between four technology levels for most of the available styles (24, 20, 16, 12) ranging from high to low, respectively. A contralateral routing of signal (CROS) model is also available for those with severe single-sided hearing loss.
In September 2023, Starkey added two new battery-powered options to the Genesis AI family, including an impressive completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid.
HearingTracker audiologist Matthew Allsop provides an overview of the new Starkey Genesis AI product family. Closed captions are available on this video. If you are using a mobile phone, please enable captions clicking on the gear icon.
Genesis builds on previous generations of artificial intelligence (AI) driven hearing aids, which began in 2018 with Starkey’s Livio AI. They have continued tuning their deep neural network (DNN) with Evolv AI (released in 2021) and now Genesis. This latest release comes with the all new Neuro Processor, having increased memory, speed, and overall performance.
Starkey claims that this boost in processing makes Genesis AI their most transparent and clean sounding hearing aid to date. Up to 80 million automatic hearing aid adjustments are made per hour to “fill in” speech gaps that would otherwise be missed. In doing so, Starkey states that this Neuro Sound technology improves sound naturalness, speech intelligibility, and offers lower listening effort for hearing aid users.
Aside from processor changes, Genesis AI sports a completely redesigned body with improved ergonomic shape and more flexible receiver cable. The new design also offers a slightly better ingress protection rating of IP68 (compared to IP58 for its predecessor Evolv). Starkey has also managed to deliver an impressive 51 hours of use time (on a single charge) for their RIC RT model—making them the industry leader for RIC battery life at the time of this article's publication.
The new RIC RT model is IP68 rated and offers industry-leading rechargeability.
Another aspect most unique to Starkey is the incorporation of wellness and overall health in their fitting philosophy. This again dates back to 2018 with Livio when various health tracking elements were first introduced. Genesis builds on this philosophy offering more advanced personal health monitoring through the My Starkey App (more on this below). Smart Assistant allows you to set reminders, adjust hearing aids settings, and more with voice commands. Furthermore, we still see integrated motion sensors which can detect falls and help alert family when needed.
Although our focus is on Starkey's Bluetooth wireless models, which make up the lion's share of the Genesis AI family, it should be noted there are also two non-wireless Genesis AI products: a tiny CIC with options for a size 10 or 312 battery, and an even tinier IIC with a size 10 battery.
What's it like to use Genesis AI?
Genesis AI are traditional hearing aids that a hearing care professional must fit. The diagnostic testing and hearing aid fitting process will be no different than other devices of similar style. In general use, Genesis AI attempts to improve your hearing automatically without requiring frequent manual adjustments via either the onboard switches or the My Starkey wireless app—this is all part of their AI philosophy. Batteries must also be changed or recharged depending on the model. More on the switches, app, and batteries shortly.
While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, occasional follow-up appointments with your hearing care professional will still be to your benefit. Starkey Hearing helps make this easier, and more accessible, by offering their complete remote care solution TeleHear. This allows you to meet virtually with your provider so that adjustments can be made from the comforts of your home. You can even download software updates from this function, reducing the number of trips to your provider.
Bluetooth streaming and wireless control
Genesis AI is compatible with both iOS® 14 through 16 and Android™ 7.0 and higher Bluetooth®-enabled mobile devices. Except for the tiniest IIC and CIC models, all these hearing aids are capable of audio streaming and wireless control with the My Starkey app using Bluetooth Low Energy wireless technology (but does not include Auracast broadcast technology). Hands-free calling is available for iOS users and, thanks to Starkey’s 2-way audio, your phone does not need to be near your mouth as the hearing aid’s microphones are used. Android users, however, will still need to rely on their phone microphones to pick up their voice.
Controlling Genesis AI
In addition to using the My Starkey app (covered below), Genesis AI RICs and the custom ITE, ITC, and CIC 312 models can be controlled manually in three ways. The first two adjustments involve the multi-function rocker switch located on the back of the device. The default short press setting will adjust the device's volume up or down; a longer press of the rocker switch in either direction, lasting 3 seconds or more, will turn the devices off or on. This can be a useful feature in dynamic loud situations (e.g., a live rock concert) where you may wish otherwise to remove your hearing aids.
The third way to adjust these models is with Tap Controls, which are also found in previous models thanks to the integrated motion sensors. A firm double tap near the rocker switch can adjust smart features such as starting or stopping audio while streaming. The specific function of Tap Control can be configured in the My Starkey app. Your hearing care professional can also make adjustments to any of the smart features within their software.
The non-wireless battery-powered CIC and IIC cannot be controlled with the My Starkey app or Tap Controls. However, the CIC does have a push-button that can be used for volume and program changes, and to power the aid on/off. However, the wireless CIC 312 does offer connectivity and health monitoring with embedded sensors.
How long should I expect Genesis AI to last before needing to buy new hearing aids?
Traditional hearing aids such as these RIC devices from Starkey last on average 3 to 5 years. With proper care they can last much longer while devices exposed to more moisture and extreme use may exhibit a shorter life. The internal lithium-ion rechargeable battery should also span the entire life of the hearing aid. Regular clearing and maintenance are an important contributor to your hearing devices lifespan and general function.
Power & Rechargeability
Most Starkey Genesis AI devices have internal Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. The standard RIC RT has a reported battery life of up to 51 hours without streaming and 45 hours with audio streaming. The mRIC R has a slightly smaller size and therefore compromises on battery life slightly having a reported 41 to 33 hour battery life without streaming and with streaming, respectively. The rechargeable ITE and ITC custom hearing aids both offer up to 42 hours without streaming and 36 with.
Model | With streaming | Without streaming |
---|---|---|
Genesis AI mRIC R | Up to 33 hours | Up to 41 hours |
Genesis AI RIC RT | Up to 45 hours | Up to 51 hours |
Genesis AI ITC R | Up to 36 hours | Up to 42 hours |
Genesis AI ITE R | Up to 36 hours | Up to 42 hours |
Genesis AI RIC (312) | Up to 5 days | Up to 6 days |
Genesis AI CIC (312) | Up to 7 days | Up to 8 days |
Genesis CIC (10)* | no streaming | 5-7 days |
Genesis CIC (312)* | no streaming | 8-10 days |
Genesis IIC (10)* | no streaming | 5-7 days |
Estimated battery life for select Genesis AI rechargeable and battery-powered models. (Battery sizes shown in parentheses.) *Asterisks denote non-wireless hearing aids that do not stream audio or work with app.
The two recently added models, the Genesis AI RIC 312 and wireless CIC 312, are both powered by size 312 disposable batteries, and last for 5-6 and 7-8 days, respectively, depending on streaming.
Genesis AI RIC devices can be recharged using the standard StarLink Charger which requires connection to a wall outlet via a standard wall plug. The StarLink Premium Charger is also available including an onboard battery pack for on-the-go charging. Both chargers have an updated docking slot for more reliable connection as well as a new turbo-charging feature where just 7 minutes in the case can provide an additional 3 hours of hearing aid use. It will take roughly 3.5 hours to fully charge Genesis AI devices from a depleted battery.
StarLink Premium Mini Charger for Genesis AI RIC RT.
The customs are compatible with the Custom Charger and Premium Custom Charger. According to Starkey, ITE and ITC hearing aids will charge in 3.5 hours with either charger. With the premium charger, you'll also get a built-in battery, which means you can use your charger when away from a power outlet. The charger battery itself takes around 3 hours to charge fully.
Starkey Genesis AI custom chargers.
Starkey rechargeable hearing aids will warn you of low-power at which point you will have roughly 30 minutes of battery life remaining.
The non-wireless CIC model uses either size 10 or slightly larger size 312 zinc-air batteries with an expected battery life of 5-7 or 8-10 days, respectively, for all but the ultra-power receivers. The IIC uses a size 10 battery and the batteries should last for 5-7 days. An indicator sounds when you have about 5 minutes of battery life left, and then again just before shutting down.
The My Starkey App
The My Starkey app is available for both iOS (15.0 or later) and Android (8.0 and later). It can be accessed on either the App Store or Google Play and installation will take only a few minutes with guided steps and help tips. From here, you can pair your Genesis AI hearing aids with your mobile device and start using the app. Check out this step-by-step walk-through for pairing.
The new My Starkey App
The My Starkey App significantly extends your control over Genesis AI and their performance. It allows you to adjust settings, stream calls, track lost devices, manage your Personalized Health Monitoring, and more. The Home landing page allows you to access general controls such as volume adjustments and program changes. You can create custom presets after manually tuning noise reduction features and a 3-band equalizer. General information about your hearing aids, such as the Find my Hearing Aids feature, is accessible by selecting the My Hearing icon.
Smart Assistant
Starkey’s Smart Assistant can be engaged by selecting the microphone icon towards the top of this tab. Once enabled, you can use your voice to adjust settings, set reminders, and access other helpful features. As Starkey uses their hearing aid microphones for 2-way audio, you can speak at a normal volume without needing to hold your phone to your mouth.
Edge Mode+
Edge Mode+ is accessible on the Home tab which uses AI to help optimize your hearing aids based on your listening environment. This app feature has been updated from the previous generation Evolv AI and Thrive Hearing Control app. Simply select the Edge Mode+ icon and the app quickly analyzes what you are hearing to automatically adjust settings. You can then select between various modes for Best Sound, Enhance Speech, and Reduce noise. My Starkey also allows you to manually adjust and save your settings.
Health
The Health tab provides several metrics for you to monitor and estimate physical activity such as steps, standing time, exercise and or other goals for the day. You can set up custom goals based on your lifestyle and track your progress with their Weekly hearing report. This is all part of Starkey’s Wellness philosophy, which is backed by ongoing research, and emphasizes the importance of both hearing and physical health.
Fall Alerts
Fall Alerts are part of Starkey’s wellness philosophy and can be set up within the Health tab. The additional feature can automatically send a text message to your contact(s), with your location, if a fall is detected. The app allows you to manually trigger alerts, cancel one should it not be necessary, and it will even notify you when your contact(s) open your message—reassuring you help is on the way. This is all possible due to Starkey’s AI and on-board motion sensors.
Learn
Learn is your pocket-hearing care provider. It provides useful information about hearing health and technologies. The content can be personalized based on your experience with hearing aids and interests. Starkey has included an impressive library of video guides and step-by-step prompted lessons into this tab.
TeleHear
The My Starkey app offers TeleHear which is a video chat based remote care solution. This feature allows you to connect virtually with your hearing professional so that adjustments can be made from the comforts of your home. This is available for all Bluetooth compatible Starkey hearing aids and can also be found in their previous generation models.
Translate & Transcribe
Nearly buried within the final hamburger menu tab is the Translate feature. This has been available since Livio AI though it has seen various updates, not the least of which is the expansion of available languages to an impressive 71. This feature allows you to choose your language, and that of someone you are speaking two, so that the app can offer real-time text and audio translation. The accuracy of this feature is impressive and can be extremely useful for travelers, those learning new languages, or day-to-day activities where language barrier may exist. The only downside to this is the several second time delay between incoming audio and the apps final translation—but that is easily forgivable given the complexity and usefulness of this process.
You can also find a Transcribe feature offering quicker real-time speech-to-text assistance.
What is the biggest drawback of Starkey Genesis AI?
Like any prescription hearing aid, cost is the biggest drawback. You can save a lot of money by looking to OTC hearing aids, but keep in mind that you will be missing out on one-on-one counseling and hands-on support, and OTC hearing aids are for a limited group of people with simpler needs and mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
The product line currently lacks a BTE-style hearing aid. However, most people opt for a RIC model anyway, so this might not be a big deal for you or your provider. What could be a consideration is if you're considering the tiniest hearing aid in the Genesis AI family, the IIC. This model, along with the wireless CIC, does not have wireless capabilities so it won't work with the My Starkey app—although it does have Genesis AI advanced processing and serves as a good non-wireless device. In fact, This IIC was chosen as one of the best invisible hearing aids on the market and my colleague Matthew Allsop also speaks highly of this tiny hearing aid.
With the more recent addition of the wireless CIC 312 model, you now have all the bells and whistles enabled by wireless functionality in a tiny hearing aid, plus the newer sound processing. Having said that, we still think the slightly older Evolv AI CIC is a great value because it possesses most of the same features as the Genesis AI CIC and you may be able to get it for less money.
My overall opinion on Genesis AI
Genesis AI is Starkey’s latest flagship hearing aid. They offer several advantages over similar traditional hearing aids, such as AI, health tracking, and translation features. As these are prescription devices, your hearing care professional should also be ensuring the best possible performance, helping you hear your best. These devices should be considered if you're looking for the latest generation technology, industry-leading rechargeable battery life, and advanced app-based personalization.
Genesis AI may not be for you if you're too busy to schedule a couple visits to the hearing clinic. Traditional hearing aids usually require 2-4 appointments (and, with more complex hearing losses, sometimes more) for hearing testing, the initial device fitting, and fine-tuning—but this is at your discretion and usually well worth your time. Beyond these appointments, follow-up is generally required (and highly recommended) to ensure the devices work well and offer optimized benefits. The cost of these appointments is typically incorporated into the overall price of your hearing aids, so it is only to your benefit to take advantage of this care.
Where can you purchase Genesis AI?
Genesis AI are traditional hearing aids and they must be purchased through a hearing care professional, usually an audiologist or hearing aid specialist. As noted, this will generally require several appointments for hearing testing and selection of hearing technology, fitting of the selected device(s), and follow-up. Be sure to check for the best deals near you.
What other products should I consider?
Genesis AI is a prescription hearing aid and will therefore be comparable with products from other major manufacturers such as Phonak, Resound, Widex, Oticon, and Signia. Flagship products from these companies generally have similar overall offerings, with slightly unique differences—making them more or less appropriate depending on individual needs and preferences.
Given Starkey’s focus on health metrics and wellness, the latest Phonak Lumity Audéo Fit would be a close alternative. Phonak Audéo Fit offers similar wireless capabilities with the inclusion of Bluetooth Classic. You will find comparable features within the myPhonak app, such as remote care and health tracking. It’s worth noting that health tracking capabilities (e.g., daily steps, heart rate) are limited to the Audéo Fit and are not available in other models of the Phonak Lumity product line. The slightly older Signia Styletto AX hearing aid also has a My WellBeing feature in its app that counts steps, wear time, and conversations.
Table of Contents
HearAdvisor partners with HearingTracker to provide objective laboratory performance data. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz. *Specific model tested: Starkey Genesis AI RIC RT 24.
Starkey Genesis AI Model Comparison
Starkey Genesis AI RIC RT | Starkey Genesis AI mRIC R | Starkey Genesis AI ITE R | Starkey Genesis AI ITC R | Starkey Genesis AI CIC | Starkey Genesis AI IIC | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rating |
70%
6 reviews |
80%
2 reviews |
0%
0 reviews |
0%
0 reviews |
60%
2 reviews |
0%
0 reviews |
Accelerometer | ||||||
Bluetooth® Audio |
Protocol
|
Protocol
|
Protocol
|
Protocol
|
||
Disposable Batteries |
Battery Size 10 |
Battery Size 10 |
||||
Gyroscope | ||||||
Hands-Free Calling |
Protocol
|
Protocol
|
Protocol
|
Protocol
|
||
IP Rating (Liquid) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
IP Rating (Solid) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Made For iPhone |
Lowest iOS Version 15.3 |
Lowest iOS Version 15.3 |
Lowest iOS Version 15.3 |
Lowest iOS Version 15.3 |
||
Push Button |
Push Button Options
|
Push Button Options
|
Push Button Options
|
Push Button Options
|
Push Button Options
|
|
Rechargeable Batteries |
Battery Type Lithium-ion |
Battery Type Lithium-ion |
Battery Type Lithium-ion |
Battery Type Lithium-ion |
||
Tap Controls |
Tap Options
|
Tap Options
|
Tap Options
|
Tap Options
|
||
Telecoil | ||||||
Volume Rocker | ||||||
Accessories |
Model details listed above may be incomplete or inaccurate. For full specifications please refer to product specifications published by the original equipment manufacturer. To suggest a correction to the details listed, please email info@hearingtracker.com.
Starkey Genesis AI Technology Levels
Starkey Genesis AI 12 | Starkey Genesis AI 16 | Starkey Genesis AI 20 | Starkey Genesis AI 24 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Price | ||||
Rating |
20%
1 review |
0%
0 reviews |
0%
0 reviews |
75%
9 reviews |
Adjustment Bands
Adjustment Bands |
12 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
New User Adaptation | ||||
Frequency Lowering | ||||
Machine Learning | ||||
Processing Channels
Processing Channels |
52 | 56 | 60 | 64 |
Streaming Bass Boost
Unavailable for CIC Unavailable for IIC |
||||
Extended bandwidth | ||||
Listening Programs | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Power On Delay | ||||
Expansion
Number of levels |
2 levels | 2 levels | 3 levels | 4 levels |
Noise Reduction
Unavailable for ITC R Unavailable for ITE R Unavailable for RIC RT Unavailable for mRIC R |
Up to 7 dB | Up to 7 dB | Up to 12 dB | Up to 22 dB |
Autocoil and Autophone
Unavailable for CIC Unavailable for IIC |
||||
Directional Processing |
Adaptive Dynamic Directional |
Adaptive Dynamic Directional |
Adaptive Dynamic Directional |
Adaptive Dynamic Directional |
E2E Machine Noise Adaptation
Machine Noise Reduction Strength Unavailable for CIC Unavailable for IIC |
Up to 7 dB | Up to 7 dB | Up to 12 dB | Up to 22 dB |
E2E Phone Streaming
Unavailable for CIC Unavailable for IIC |
||||
Ear-to-Ear Technology
Unavailable for CIC Unavailable for IIC |
||||
Edge Mode+
Options |
App Control |
Personalization App Control |
Personalization User Control App Control |
|
Fall Alert
Unavailable for CIC Unavailable for IIC |
||||
Feedback Canceller | ||||
Multiflex Tinnitus Pro | ||||
Sound Manager | ||||
Speech Optimization |
Consonant Enhancement Voice AI |
|||
Speech in Loud Noise Reduction
Unavailable for CIC Unavailable for IIC |
||||
Speech in Noise Reduction | Up to 8 dB | Up to 8 dB | Up to 10 dB | Up to 22 dB |
Transient Noise Reduction | Up to 6 dB | Up to 6 dB | Up to 9 dB | Up to 15 dB |
Wind Reduction | Up to 10 dB | Up to 10 dB | Up to 19 dB | Up to 35 dB |
Technology specifications listed above may be incomplete or inaccurate. For full specifications please refer to product specifications published by the original equipment manufacturer. To suggest a correction to the details listed, please email info@hearingtracker.com.
Starkey Genesis AI Accessories
CROS
CROS system for Starkey Genesis AI.
Functions
- CROS System
Compatible Aids
- Genesis AI RIC RT
Custom Charger
Charges custom-made rechargeable hearing aids from Starkey.
Functions
- Battery Charger
Compatible Aids
- Genesis AI ITE R
- Genesis AI ITC R
Mini Remote Microphone
A wireless microphone small enough to clip to clothing, it streams audio to Live hearing aids.
Functions
- Remote Microphone
Compatible Aids
- Genesis AI RIC RT
- Genesis AI mRIC R
- Genesis AI ITE R
- Genesis AI ITC R
My Starkey
Designed with the input of hearing aid wearers, My Starkey pairs with Genesis AI hearing aids to help you enjoy greater listening moments, improved well-being, and easier everyday living — all from the palm of your hand.
Functions
- Smartphone App
Compatible Aids
- Genesis AI RIC RT
- Genesis AI mRIC R
- Genesis AI ITE R
- Genesis AI ITC R
Remote
Functions
- Remote Control
Compatible Aids
- Genesis AI RIC RT
- Genesis AI mRIC R
- Genesis AI ITE R
- Genesis AI ITC R
Remote Microphone +
Streams audio from a variety of sources to select Starkey hearing aids.
Functions
- Bluetooth Streamer
- Remote Microphone
- FM to Digital Streaming
- Telecoil Streamer
- 3.5mm Line to Streaming
- Smartphone Streamer + Hands Free
Compatible Aids
- Genesis AI RIC RT
- Genesis AI mRIC R
- Genesis AI ITE R
- Genesis AI ITC R
StarLink Charger
Unique StarLink Chargers for Genesis AI mRIC R and RIC RT hearing aids – same design but with different charging slots to ensure secure hearing aid placement. These new chargers include on-board turbo charging for three hours of hearing aid use time in just seven minutes of charging and must be plugged into an external power source (i.e, wall outlet) to function/charge the hearing aids.
Functions
- Battery Charger
Compatible Aids
- Genesis AI RIC RT
- Genesis AI mRIC R
StarLink Premium Mini Charger
Unique StarLink Premium Mini Chargers for Genesis AI mRIC R and RIC RT hearing aids – same design but with different charging slots to ensure secure hearing aid placement. These new chargers include on-board turbo charging for three hours of hearing aid use time in just seven minutes of charging and an on-board battery for on-the-go charging.
Functions
- Battery Charger
Compatible Aids
- Genesis AI RIC RT
- Genesis AI mRIC R
Table Microphone
The Table Microphone is placed on a table to improve hearing for speech in a group setting. It contains 8 built-in microphones and transmits sound via a 2.4Ghz wireless connection.
Functions
- Remote Microphone
Compatible Aids
- Genesis AI RIC RT
- Genesis AI mRIC R
- Genesis AI ITE R
- Genesis AI ITC R
TV
Plugs into analog or digital outputs and streams audio to Livio AI and Livio hearing aids.
Functions
- TV Streamer
- 3.5mm Line to Streaming
Compatible Aids
- Genesis AI RIC RT
- Genesis AI mRIC R
- Genesis AI ITE R
- Genesis AI ITC R
Starkey Genesis AI Reviews
Hearing aid reviews are fundamentally different from reviews for most other consumer electronic products. The reason is because individual factors, like degree of hearing loss, have a profound effect one's success and overall satisfaction with the product. When purchasing a hearing aid, you'll need to consider more than just your hearing outcome ... Continue reading
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Overall Ratings
Hearing Tracker uses a ten-question survey to assess consumer feedback on hearing aids. The percentage bars below reflect the average ratings provided per question, averaged across all hearing aids belonging to this family of devices.
Note: Original answers provided in star rating format.
Concierge-level Service: The rental service goes above and beyond, offering a concierge-level of service to meet the unique needs of discerning clients.
I have been wearing the Genesis AI 24 for just over 10 months now. Overall, I am disappointed. The best thing about them is the battery life. The worst thing about them is twofold: 1. The sound quality is not natural. It seems like noise cancellation, or some other setting, causes sounds like a telephone ringing or short beeps from keypads like my alarm system or the microwave oven don't sound like a beep at all. Instead, short sounds like that just make a brief hiss like when you let some air out of a tire. When my wife's phone rings I don't recognize the sound. Her iPhone ringer is set to a classic phone bell and it does sound like a bell when I'm not wearing hearing aids. But the hearing aids make it sound like a rattlesnake. 2. When there is background noise, like the sound of turbulance from a bathroom exhaust fan, the hearing aids will suppress it. This probably would be okay, but when a new sound pops up, like dropping a hairbrush on the floor, the suppression goes away and the fan is loud for several seconds. This behavior happens several times a day in various environments. If someone is speaking to me when that happens I will miss a few words they said until the hearing aid catches up. My audiologist, who has been in the business for decades, said I would adapt to this, but that has not happened. He does not use REM. I had the Starkey Evolve 24 previously and they worked much better than the Genesis. I would not purchase these again.
Have had Genesis RIC both ears for 10 months. Great battery life but when I have issues with HA not responding major pain to find charger and put in aids to turn them off and reset. Was much easier with replaceable batteries to turn on and off. Cannot get good speech in noise no matter the setting (restaurant Edge plus etc). The VA Audiologist refuses to do a follow on hearing test with aids on to determine the problem. I saw that recommended in a previous website entry here. TV device works great as is iPhone connection answering phone. I use phone Mike as had problems with phone conversant hearing me using the hearing aid Mike. Ap is OK. Don’t have any movie theaters that use coil sound so not sure if that works. I use the close caption devices when available. I also have a CROS Mike in right ear vs a HA there which helps me hear sounds to my right. Jury still out on how effective CROS is vs a true HA in that ear. Also connection to iPhone for music I have saved there is great. I have 20 years experience with dual HAs with Phonak, Resound but my first Starkey. Older Phonaks had best pure sound but that was prior to todays aps which are fantastic. Resound and Starkey sounds a bit tinnier.
Starkey Genesis 24 bluetooth stability is poor and results in extraordinary effort managing the use of an otherwise seemingly excellent product.
I could not agree more.
Genesis Definitely has a poor Bluetooth. When I mow my lawn I have to hang my iPhone from around my neck to stay connected. If I place phone in any pants pocket I lose contact consistently. I believe this is due to Starkey using the older version Bluetooth. My older Resounds had much stronger Bluetooth.
I do like the aids very much …but am not as happy with the music setting.
On my Picasso aids my audiologist had me bring in my violin and connected with Starkey to created a specific music setting.
She said this wasn’t possible with the new ones and the sound of the violin is terrible with the music setting I have,.
Can this be changed?
They work ok but not like the hype says. i am not sure if they are really working well or if they are turned up louder than my old pair. Phone calls are terrible on them. Road noise, hard to hear phone calls etc.. The battery life is great..charges last a day and a half. DOES ANYONE HAVE THESE AND IS THERE A WAY TO ACHIEVE BETTER SOUNDING PHONE CALLS?
I have a starkey evolv ai 1200
There was a lot of hum and distortion in the background
all features only available in 2400 version.
too expensive and useless.
They are definitely not user friendly,so sad.
I've been using the Starkey Genesis AI for approximately two months, and they have exceeded my expectations. Beyond the expected improvement in amplification the user available adjustments and excellent My Starkey application have made the aids exceptionally customizable. I am still discovering features each day. The Bluetooth feature and iphone integration are a feature I use multiple times a day. My audiologist suggested I wait for the Genesis Starkey AI and was one of the first users when they became available in February. They were well worth waiting for.
The battery life is excellent, the Android Bluetooth did not work for me for streaming or phone calls on my Google Pixel phone.
Upgraded from Halo, and so far, WAY better on all fronts. I will check back in later with more updates, as just brought them home.
I have tried the Starkey Genesis AI 2400 IIC NW and the mRics. I have ordered the Genesis Ai CIC NW because with my hearing loss, the IIC NW didn't have enough gain without persistent feedback. I am very familiar with RIC's and have worn them for the last five years.
When I wore the Starkey Genesis AI 2400 mRics the edge + mode was amazing at Easter Brunch in a crowded restaurant. I could hear people on the other end of the table and we had eight of us.
I am hoping the CIC NW will maybe do the switch to Edge + automatically but not sure? Maybe a push of a button?
The mRics would switch with a double tap on my right ear to edge mode +, although I had to use the app to switch back. I think the double-tap might be one way—on for edge + mode., then disengage or turn off with the app.
I am disappointed that there isn’t a way to control the mRICS with my apple watch? I can do so now with my present RIC's hearing aids.
The connectivity functions surprisingly well. I never lost connection with the mRics and the app during the three days I had the demos. It was very encouraging and I thought it was worth noting because my present Ric's have issues with connectivity. I also listened to music and some podcasts. I walked away from my phone about 40 feet and then the connection became spotty.
The quality of sound when it comes to music and podcasts is thin. I think if I had molds with the mRics that would add some body to the sounds. Virtually no bass but I understand that hearing aids really aren’t headphones.
When I left the restaurant, I put the mRICS on personal (memory/program) through the app. I noticed some fluctuations and white noise coming in and out as the hearing aids were adjusting to different sounds. It is difficult to describe. I turned down the volume one notch from default volume, and no more fluctuations or white noise.
The higher pitches/frequencies on the mRICS sound kind of metal and machine like. What I am trying to say is that it was more than tinny; it was more like a mechanical sound that had an autotune flavor.
I loved the open dome that the mRICS had on them and I honestly couldn’t feel that I had hearing aids on for most of the time. I might add that I wasn’t conscious of hearing differently with hearing aids—just better. What stood out is the sort of autotune tones that were present in my own voice and higher pitches in the personal program. It reminded me of some famous autotune artists.
One word of caution—read the directions before one performs a self check on the hearing aids through the app. I found out that you need to take them out first! Yowzuh! Loud sounds abound!
Overall--the new Starkey Genesis AI chip is a winner! Now It is a matter of choosing the best model in order to hear better--live better.
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I'm very disappointed.
TrueHeaeing will not be getting the Genisis AI line of hearing aids until the Fall. I've already had my hearing test at New England Audiology in Manchhester, New Hampshire. Why am I forced to wait so long?
Steve Taddei’s review reports substantially lower scores on Hear Advisor testing of the Genesis than for the earlier Evolv. The overall sound score for the Genesis is 3.5 vs 4.1 for the Evolv. Shocking are the speech in quiet dropping from 4.4 to 2.3 and speech in noise dropping from 3.5 to 1.2. Frankly this doesn’t make any sense. Could Starkey have gotten things so wrong on their new Genesis line of hearing aids?
The hearing aid is not inferior, it's just that Starkey's default amplification levels are considerably lower with Genesis AI vs their previous family. If you have the hearing aids fitted by a practitioner that uses and understands REMs, this would not be an issue. And more generally, we strongly advise avoiding practitioners that do not provide REMs in their standard clinical protocol.
I’ve had Genesis both ears for 10 months and I agree with these numbers. I had Evolve for 4 months prior through the VA so was still in trial period when Genesis came out. I bought into the hype of how much better and faster Genesis was so I switched. My biggest problem always has been picking speech out of noise but Genesis has not solved this problem in my experience. One caveat: Due to really bad right ear hearing loss I have a CROS in right ear so it is a mike not a true hearing aid. This may have a more negative impact on speech in noise recognition. Bottom line: if Evolve is working for you don’t switch to Genesis.
Thank you for the insights, Abram. Much appreciated. Help me understand what Hear Advisor is doing. They reports scores both for “Initial Fit” and for “Tuned Fit”. I assumed that the Initial Fit score was for the manufacturer’s default amplification levels. Did I get that wrong?
Nope you got that right. I would suggest you read the HearAdvisor whitepaper to learn more (simply google it). And let's start a thread over in the forum if you still have questions. Thanks!
Thanks Dr. Taddei. This review and information was the most comprehensive that I have found thus far. Well explained and really very helpful. Seeing the various pricing info was helpful too...hard to find elsewhere.