In a Nutshell
pros
- All hearing aid models available in multiple styles
- Control your hearing aids with the Thrive Hearing Control app
- AI-enabled hearing aid serves as a wearable whole-health device
cons
- Must visit a local audiologist to purchase
- Warranty details vary by provider
Starkey Hearing Aid Models
Starkey offers 4 different hearing aid models that improve in sound quality and noise-canceling technology as you go up in price. Most of the company’s devices are smartphone compatible and available with either rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries. In addition, you can choose from behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal, in-the-ear, or in-the-canal styles for each model.
Starkey’s innovative hearing aid designs have been widely praised within the industry. The company won several innovation awards in 2021 for its new Livio Edge AI hearing aids. Earlier models in the Livio series also won awards for the past 4 consecutive years.
Livio Edge AI
The Livio Edge AI is Starkey’s newest and most expensive hearing aid. This device starts at around $8,000 per pair and uses cutting-edge AI tech to deliver the best possible sound quality. The Livio Edge AI is Bluetooth-enabled and can be controlled with Starkey’s mobile app.
The Livio Edge AI improves on the sound quality of the Livio AI, Starkey’s lower-priced model, while adding features like automated language translation and fall detection. The hearing aid also tracks your movements, so it functions as a holistic wearable health device. The Livio Edge AI is suitable for mild to severe hearing loss.
Livio AI
The Livio AI is the predecessor to the Livio Edge AI and is equipped with an earlier version of the same AI technology. It boasts many of the same features as the Livio Edge AI, except for language translation and fall detection.
The Livio AI is best suited for adults who want exceptional sound quality but don’t have the budget to spring for the Livio Edge AI. It’s designed to help with mild to severe hearing loss. The Livio AI starts at around $4,000 per pair.
Livio
The Livio is a budget-friendly hearing aid from Starkey that doesn’t incorporate AI technology for sound enhancement and noise canceling. However, it’s still Bluetooth compatible and offers very good sound quality.
Starting at $2,800 per pair, the Livio is a good option for users who want clarity but don’t need the more advanced features of an AI-enabled hearing aid. This device is suitable for mild to severe hearing loss.
Picasso
The Picasso is Starkey’s most basic hearing aid model, although it’s still technologically advanced. The Picasso is enabled with Bluetooth and uses automated noise-canceling technology to improve sound quality. However, it’s not smartphone compatible and is only suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.
The most notable thing about the Picasso is that it can be customized to fit your ear, making it ideal for people who have had trouble with hearing aid comfort in the past. The Picasso is also available as an invisible-in-canal style, which is the smallest hearing aid that Starkey makes. The Picasso starts at around $1,200 per pair.
Starkey Additional Services & Products
Starkey offers several accessories to help you get the most out of your hearing aids. The company has wireless controls like a TV streamer, which lets you stream audio directly from your television to your Livio-series hearing aid. Starkey also makes a remote microphone, which you can use for one-on-one conversations in noisy environments.
One downside is that Starkey doesn’t offer a warranty or protection plan for its hearing aids. It leaves warranty to the discretion of individual providers, so you’ll need to check with your local audiologist to find out what damage your device is covered for.
How Do I Purchase Starkey Devices?
You’ll need to visit a Starkey dealer—typically a local audiologist—in order to purchase the company’s hearing aids. You cannot purchase Starkey hearing aids online. The good news is that the company has hundreds of dealers across the US, so there’s a strong chance an audiologist near you has the company’s devices. Starkey has a search tool on its website to help you find a dealer.
Starkey Payment Options
Since you have to go through a local audiologist to purchase Starkey hearing aids, payment methods will vary by stockist. Check with your local dealer to see if there are payment plans available or whether your insurance will offset the cost of your device.
Starkey Features and Tools
The main feature that differentiates Starkey from other brands is the company’s use of AI. This technology enables Starkey’s hearing aids to provide extra clarity during conversations while filtering out noise from behind you. In addition, the onboard AI enables useful features like language translation and movement tracking.
Another thing that’s nice about Starkey is that all of the company’s devices are available with rechargeable batteries. While more and more hearing aid manufacturers are moving in this direction, it’s still rare to find an entire lineup of rechargeable devices.
What About the Starkey App?
Starkey offers a free mobile app for iOS and Android devices called Thrive Hearing Control. This mobile app connects to all Livio series devices and lets you control volume and monitor how much you use your hearing aids. With the Livio Edge AI and Livio AI devices, you can also use the app to track your movement, translate languages, or send an alert when a fall is detected.
The app is straightforward to use and doesn’t require much effort to set up. In addition, Starkey has a number of tutorial videos to walk new users through the app’s features.
Service and Support
Starkey offers technical support by phone from 8:30 am–5:30 pm (CT), Monday–Friday. We called and were able to get in touch with a representative right away.
The company also has an online knowledge base where you’ll find information about how to care for your Starkey hearing aids, how to connect to the Thrive Hearing Control app, and how to troubleshoot problems with your device.
How to Get a Refund from Starkey
Starkey doesn’t issue refunds directly. To request a refund, you’ll need to go to the dealer you purchased your hearing aids from. Refund policies and how easy it is to get a refund can vary widely by provider.
Bottom Line
Starkey is an award-winning hearing aid manufacturer that stands out for incorporating cutting-edge AI technology into its devices. Starkey’s most advanced hearing aids offer excellent sound quality and noise cancellation, plus neat features like body movement tracking, automated translation, and even fall detection. In addition, the company’s Thrive Hearing Control mobile app lets you control your hearing aids remotely.
Starkey doesn’t sell its hearing aids directly, so you’ll need to go through a local audiologist to purchase the company’s devices. As a result, prices, warranty policies, and refunds can vary. If you want exceptional sound quality and lots of style options, Starkey is one of the top hearing aid manufacturers available today.
FAQs
Do Starkey hearing aids have Bluetooth?
Yes, all of Starkey’s hearing aids are equipped with Bluetooth.
Does Starkey offer a money-back guarantee?
Money back guarantee offers vary by provider. Most Starkey dealers offer at least a 30-day refund period.
Do Starkey hearing aids work for hearing loss in one ear?
Yes, all Starkey hearing aids are compatible with CROS technology for one-sided hearing loss.
How do I find a Starkey dealer?
Starkey has an online locator tool to help you find a local audiologist that sells the company’s hearing aids.
What styles of hearing aids does Starkey make?
Starkey makes behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal, in-the-ear, in-the-canal, and invisible-in-canal hearing aids.
