After a successful launch in the UK, Starkey has just released its newest product in the custom-made line of products, a wireless invisible CIC hearing aid. Read more about Starkey's invisible IIC and wireless CIC below.
The top-of-the-range Evolv and Genesis Ai 2400/24 wireless CIC have cutting-edge new features and up to 40% more noise reduction than previous premium devices. The top three tech levels now benefit from the revolutionary ‘Edge’ mode’ and all levels of technology benefit from the new ‘Starkey Sound’ AI technology that automatically optimises speech audibility so you can (as their tagline says):
‘Effortlessly enjoy every moment with the hearing aids that fit seamlessly into your lifestyle'.
I’ll mention from the outset that no matter how good a hearing aid can be, it may be useless if not professionally fit by an experienced Audiologist.
Key Features of Starkey Genesis Ai Family
Full range of styles from the smallest IIC in the industry to a powerful BTE
Rechargeable BTE, RIC and custom styles
Four Technology levels
‘Starkey Sound’ Automatic adjustment technology
Edge Mode for enhanced performance in difficult environments (top three levels)
40% More Noise Reduction Compared to Livio AI
Faster connection and pairing to all wireless Bluetooth devices.
The world’s first Bluetooth CIC hearing aid
Includes Starkey’s new 2-Way Audio
Starkey Genesis AI Hearing Aids Are Available in the Full Range of Styles
Starkey has made the Genesis Ai technology available in all hearing aid styles from an invisible-in-canal (IIC) device through to their powerful Power Plus BTE 13 model, for those with the most profound hearing losses. The rechargeable RIC-R style is likely to remain the most popular, offering discrete comfort and a full range of advanced features.
One of the biggest announcements of this release is the Genesis Ai CIC – the world’s first wireless hearing aid in a ‘completely in the canal’ model that has Bluetooth connectivity to iPhone and most Android devices.
Starkey Genesis AI Hearing Aids Are Available in Three Technology Levels
Genesis AI is available in 4 technology levels. The 24 (premium), 20 (advanced), and 16 (mid-range).
The premium Genesis Ai 24 will provide the most sound processing, customisations, and aggressive automatic noise reduction, making these devices ideal for those with active lifestyles. The 24 will deliver quality sound in any environment so users should expect to enjoy a better listening experience at outdoor events, in busy restaurants, at live concerts, in social gatherings and more. As you drop down from the premium top-tier 24 level you lose access to numerous features and programming customisations. On the flip side, the lower technology levels cost less.
I'd say that the best hearing aid for you will be the device with the most features and technology that you can reasonably justify and afford. There is no doubt that premium devices provide superior sound quality and outstanding performance in the most difficult listening environments, but you must consider if the extra technology is worth the price for your hearing difficulties & lifestyle. In most cases, the more active your lifestyle, the higher the technology level you should purchase. If you can’t reasonably afford the ideal device, it is my job to customise and maximise the performance of whichever device you choose.
Starkey Genesis technology levels
Starkey Evolv technology levels
Noise Reduction in Starkey Genesis Ai hearing aids
In my opinion, the biggest difference between the 24 and 20 models is the amount of noise reduction. The 24 model uses Starkey’s most aggressive noise reduction technology to clarify speech in challenging environments by reducing noise mixed in with speech. It will also reduce sudden or sharp impulse noises (like silverware or door slamming), machine noise (like fans and motors) and wind noise. The 24 model applies twice the level of noise reduction as compared to the 20 model which is significant because every decibel helps when trying to make speech as clear as possible.
Automatic Adjustment for Effortless Hearing
All technology levels of the Genesis Ai benefit from Starkey Sound technology that makes around 55 million automatic adjustments per hour to provide automatic, realistic, and great sound in all environments. This feature is based on algorithms that model your brain’s auditory system to try to suppress background noise and increase speech automatically. Because Genesis AI mirrors this with the intelligence of machine learning (a very smart artificial intelligence technology) – you gain from a high-quality filtered sound experience.
Starkey Genesis AI Hearing Aid’s Edge Mode
Edge Mode uses Artificial Intelligence to make immediate adjustments to optimize noise reduction and speech clarity when activated in particularly challenging environments. Edge Mode is now included in the 2400 and 24 on the tap function and on 2000 and 20 on the App.
Thrive Hearing Control – Compatible with both Android and iPhone mobiles
Starkey’s Thrive app enables you to adjust hearing aid volume, bass and treble, create customized programs, and stream music or phone calls easily and conveniently with a button. The Thrive app also offers information services like Thrive Assistant, Translate, Transcribe, and Self Check, which lets you check your hearing aid performance without an office visit.
Tap Control
This gives you more control of your hearing aids with just a double tap of your fingers. You can stop/start/pause streaming, initiate voice commands in the top three technology levels, and access the Edge Mode – in just the top performance level. However, you can’t answer or reject calls from this feature.
Effortless Connection
Genesis AI offers the newest and most advanced connectivity ever. With improved connection time between phones and hearing aids, you will experience the best streaming sound quality for TV, music, and conversations.
Introducing 2-Way Audio
Hear and connect effortlessly with hands-free conversations. Genesis AI delivers 2-Way Audio in every wireless style. Now, hearing aid microphones pick up and stream your voice directly back to your iPhone and iPad, allowing you to seamlessly talk hands-free. Until now your voice was streamed via the phone’s microphone, meaning you had to keep it nearby and not in your pocket or bag.
Starkey Genesis AI Hearing Aid Accessories
The Genesis Ai is compatible with a range of wireless accessories to extend their abilities for amazing hearing in even the most challenging environments.
Starkey Mini Turbo Charger
It’s a pocket-sized turbocharger that can provide 3.5 hours of hearing aid use with just a 7-minute charge.
Starkey Hearing Technologies TV Streamer
This is my favourite accessory for any hearing aid wearer, a TV streamer. Plug it into the back of your TV or soundbar and the audio will be streamed directly to your hearing aids. Others can keep the TV at their preferred volume level, while you set your volume via the app, on the hearing aids themselves, or via the buttons on the device itself.
Starkey Hearing Technologies Remote Mic +
If you have a hard time hearing in noise this accessory is a lifesaver. Attach this microphone to a companion’s shirt and their voice will stream directly to your hearing aids. Their voice will come through much stronger than all the competing noise in the environment.
Starkey Remote Control
You probably don’t need this. Most people use the app to control their hearing aids, and if not the app, then the push button on the hearing aid itself. But if neither of those suits you, this remote is a simple way to control the volume and program.
Starkey Hearing Technologies Table Microphone
Set it in the middle of the table and enjoy group settings like family gatherings or noisy restaurants. Its eight built-in microphones detect the primary speaker’s voice and stream it directly to the hearing aids.
HearingNow is an official provider of Starkey products in the UK. Call us today on 0800 001 6683 to book your Starkey Genesis and Starkey Evolv Ai hearing aid trial.
Update Feb 2024:
In our London clinics in Dulwich and Crystal Palace, we experienced a high demand for Starkey Genesis CIC wireless in Jan 2024 and I had a chance to attend to a few patients and receive some first-hand experience with Genesis CIC. Here is my report back to you on Starkey Genesis CIC:
Sound quality - My patients were all long-term users of invisible hearing aids IIC and CIC hearing aids from Phonak, Widex and Oticon hearing aids. They were looking to upgrade the technology and purchase a new pair of hearing aids. I can report that I am impressed with the sound quality of Starkey Genesis CIC as none of the patients complained about the sound quality of the Genesis CIC while coming from a wide range of other brands.
Speech understanding - I'll be updating this section in the next few months when they come back for rehab. One of the patients reported back after about a week that he is quite happy with the speech understanding and noise reduction of Genesis CIC.
Connectivity - All of the patients who switched from IIC and CIC hearing aids to Genesis CIC Wireless are very excited as for the first time they experienced Bluetooth connectivity on their hearing aids. they admitted that Genesis CIC Wireless is the best of two worlds as the hearing aid is very discreet and now they can listen to music, radio, and podcasts and enjoy hands-free calls on their invisible hearing aids.