Starkey Hearing Aids Review (2024) | Pricing, Features & More (2024)

Hearing Aids

Starkey Hearing Aids Review (2024) | Pricing, Features & More (1)
Starkey Hearing Aids Review (2024) | Pricing, Features & More (2)

By

Jennifer Walker-Journey and Chrissy Holm

Starkey Hearing Aids Review (2024) | Pricing, Features & More (3)

Medically Reviewed by

Brad Ingrao, AuD

Updated on July 21, 2023

Everyday Health independently vets all recommended products. If you purchase a featured product, we may be compensated. Learn why you can trust us.

Starkey offers five lines of hearing aids in six styles. It also makes rechargeable and battery-operated options, as well as wireless accessories, including wireless remotes, table microphones, and a TV streamer. In our review of the best hearing aids, we named the Starkey Livio AI the best for artificial intelligence (AI) features because of the model’s integrated sensors and features, like the AI-powered Mask Mode, which can make it easier to understand speakers wearing masks.

Starkey has also won a number of awards, including a 2022 Manufacturing Leadership Council award for operational excellence and multiple design awards for specific hearing aids.

To purchase Starkey hearing aids, you will first need to visit a hearing specialist or audiologist for a prescription. The advantage of buying prescription hearing aids is that the process includes an in-person hearing exam and fitting.

“An in-person consultation with a licensed audiologist is recommended because hearing aids are a prescriptive medical device,” says Amy Myers, AuD, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. She adds, “If hearing aids are not programmed to an individual’s hearing prescription, they will be limited in assisting specific hearing needs.”

Read our full Starkey hearing aids review to see if this is the right brand of hearing aids for your needs.

Why You Can Trust Our Expert Review

Underlying research:

  • 2,500 hours researched
  • 13 experts consulted
  • 30 brands considered
  • 96 models considered
  • 600 users surveyed

Our experts have spent more than 2,500 hours conducting thorough research on hearing aids. Throughout this process, we did the following:

  • Deeply researched the hearing device category
  • Consulted with audiologists and hearing device experts
  • Mystery shopped 30 brands
  • Surveyed more than 600 hearing aid users
  • Read and reviewed the current relevant studies
  • Read thousands of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot

Why We Chose Starkey

To help you find the best hearing aids for your needs, we researched dozens of hearing aid brands. From traditional hearing aids sold through an audiologist’s office to direct-to-consumer brands, our reviews team took a close look at what each company had to offer.

We chose to review Starkey because it offers a number of advanced features, including hearing aids with tinnitus-masking technology, wireless streaming capabilities, and integrated sensors to track activity and detect falls. We searched through verified customer reviews and evaluated the different Starkey hearing aid models to help you decide if they’re right for you and within your budget.

Pros and Cons of Starkey Hearing Aids

Pros

  • Large selection of hearing aid styles
  • Risk-free, 30-day trial and money-back guarantee
  • Rechargeable batteries for some models
  • Widely available at hearing centers and private hearing care professionals’ offices around the country
  • Free online hearing test available

Cons

  • Only available for purchase through a healthcare professional
  • Financing options are available but include a 30 percent APR

RELATED: Rechargeable Hearing Aids: Are They Right for You?

Starkey Hearing Aid Comparison Chart

Model

Price Per Device

Type of Hearing Aid

Level of Hearing Loss

Battery Type

Bluetooth

$1,000 to $3,000

IIC, CIC, ITC, and ITE

Mild to severe

Disposable or rechargeable

Yes

$1,000 to $3,000

RIC, BTE, ITC, and ITE

Mild to severe

Disposable or rechargeable

Yes

$1,000 to $3,000

RIC, BTE, ITC, and ITE

Mild to severe

Disposable or rechargeable

Yes

$1,000 to $3,000

RIC, BTE, ITC, and ITE

Mild to severe

Disposable or rechargeable

Yes

$1,000 to $3,000

RIC, BTE, IIC, CIC, ITC, and ITE

Mild to severe

Disposable or rechargeable

Yes

Starkey Hearing Aids Models and Prices

Starkey Picasso Hearing Aids

  • Custom design for an individual’s unique ear anatomy
  • Wireless streaming for TV, music, and phone calls
  • Feedback-free technology
  • Customizable tinnitus technology

Starkey Picasso hearing aids are custom fit for each person’s unique ear shape. They are available in ITE, ITC, CIC, and IIC styles and include important features like feedback management and wireless connectivity. This is significant as almost 24 percent of respondents to our proprietary survey of more than 600 hearing aid users reported that Bluetooth capabilities are the most important feature they look for in hearing aids.

Starkey Livio Hearing Aids

  • Single-sided technology available to help those with single-sided hearing loss
  • Rechargeable options available
  • Connects to smartphone apps to control settings

Starkey Livio hearing aids are available in four styles — BTE, RIC, ITE, and ITC — and each one is available with disposable or rechargeable battery options. The rechargeable models can last up to 24 hours on a single charge, depending on your use. A key feature of Livio hearing aids is that they work with the Thrive Hearing Control app, which lets users adjust settings and track their engagement and activity; it can even detect falls. It also includes a TeleHear feature so that users can request video chats and remote adjustments from their hearing care professional.

Starkey Livio AI

  • Brain and body tracking that records steps, standing time, and other features
  • Allows you to transcribe a conversation into text to ensure that you don’t miss a single word or phrase

The Livio AI integrates sensors and artificial intelligence to improve sound quality and provide engagement and activity tracking through the Thrive Control app. This allows you to monitor things like your hearing aid use, social engagement while using the hearing aids, and daily step count. It also includes a transcribe function that can create a text version of conversations for you to read later through the app.

Starkey Livio Edge AI

  • Fall detection alerts to notify another party if you’ve fallen
  • Real-time language translation allows the Thrive Hearing app to translate different languages into your hearing aid
  • Thrive Care app lets you share certain hearing aid usage information with people you choose

The Livio Edge AI is designed to provide better sound performance with integrated health and listening features. It comes in four styles, with a rechargeable version available for each. The Livio Edge AI stands out for its real-time language translation feature. The Thrive Hearing app can translate up to 27 languages from the microphones in your smartphone and then display the translated text and stream audio of the translation directly to your hearing aids.

Starkey Evolv AI Hearing Aid

  • Access to TeleHear, which allows hearing professionals to make remote adjustments
  • Two-way audio through an iPhone or iPad
  • Available in six styles

The Evolv AI, the latest Starkey hearing aid model, has all the features of the Livio Edge AI plus additional features like two-way audio for hands-free calls and TeleHear remote programming. Users can connect their hearing aids directly to their iPhone or iPad for hands-free calling or video chats. The TeleHear function enables users to set up remote consultations with their hearing professional and allows them to make remote adjustments to the hearing aids for a better hearing experience.

Starkey Hearing Aids Cost and Payment Options

You can’t buy Starkey hearing aids online, but you can purchase Starkey hearing aids at a hearing center or from a licensed hearing care professional. Starkey hearing aid prices vary depending on the model and your provider. You can find Starkey hearing aids for prices ranging between $1,000 to $3,000 per device, or $2,000 to $6,000 per pair.

Yes Hearing is one the largest discount hearing aid providers in the United States, and it can connect you with its network of local hearing care providers, who can help you choose your hearing aids, install them, and provide ongoing care.

Will Insurance Pay for My Hearing Aids?

Most health insurance plans don’t cover hearing aid costs, but a few options could help cover the cost:

  • Private Health Insurance Certain plans may cover hearing tests or hearing evaluations, or offer complete coverage for hearing aids. Check your individual policy for details.
  • Medicare Original Medicare plans do not pay for hearing aids or exams, but certain Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may cover hearing aid costs. Consult your plan for details.
  • Veteran Benefits If you are a U.S. military veteran, you are likely eligible for free premium hearing aids if you qualify for general Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare. To determine your eligibility, visit VA.gov or your local VA clinic or medical center.

Contact your healthcare provider to verify the hearing coverage available to you.

Starkey Hearing Aid Comparison

We compared the Starkey Livio AI model with a few competitors based on the included hearing aid technology, how users can adjust the sound settings, the battery type, and the price per pair.

Brand and ModelAdditional TechnologySound AdjustmentType of BatteryPrice Per Pair
Starkey Livio AIHearing aid with integrated health trackerSmartphone appRechargeable and disposable$2,000 to $6,000
Widex MomentUltrafast sound processingSmartphone appRechargeable and disposable$2,500 to $6,500
Phonak ParadiseCustomized background noise controlLocal fitting included with purchaseRechargeable$2,698 to $4,798
Oticon OPN SFeedback detection and preventionLocal fitting included with purchaseRechargeable or disposable$3,200 to $7,000

Starkey Customer Service and Satisfaction

You will work directly with your hearing professional or audiologist for most customer service and support issues related to your Starkey hearing aids. The Starkey site features a support page with numerous troubleshooting articles and how-to videos. Additionally, the Thrive Control and Thrive Care apps allow you to schedule virtual consultations with your doctor so they can remotely adjust your hearing aids. Existing Starkey hearing aid customers can call 866-637-9243 for technical support.

Starkey Ratings

We read customer reviews on trusted third-party review sites BBB and TrustPilot to learn Starkey customers’ opinions about their hearing aids. As of July 2023, on Trustpilot, the company has a 3.2 out of 5 rating, based on 336 reviews. On the BBB, Starkey has an A+ rating, but an average customer rating of 1 out of 5 from six reviews.

Positive Reviews The most common praise for the company focused on how comfortable the hearing aids are to wear, the rechargeable batteries, and ease of use.

Negative Reviews Complaints frequently cite issues reaching customer service, having to send in the hearing aids for repairs, trouble connecting the hearing aids through Bluetooth, and the cost.

Customer Reviews for Starkey Hearing Aids

I very much like my new hearing aids. They are comfortable and the charging station is much better than changing batteries. I particularly like being able to hear better in lectures and performances. The technician is well accustomed to making adjustments for maximum benefit of the aids. It has been a good experience.”

— RADIE A, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM TRUSTPILOT.COM)

“The Bluetooth feature is beyond frustrating. I have to be on the phone a lot for my job and the hearing aids constantly disconnect from one ear or the other, causing me to (many times EVERY day) reconnect manually or ‘forget this device’ and re-pair them. Oftentimes, even when they are connected, there is crackling and distortion so that I can’t understand what is being said. I have taken them back to the audiologist, but they can’t determine the problem either.”

— CJ, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM TRUSTPILOT.COM)

Better than my last pair, but still not sufficient especially in an auditorium setting with a speaker! Also not always sufficient in a conversational setting. Good with TV.”

— JANET W, VERIFIED CUSTOMER REVIEW (TRUSTPILOT.COM)

Review Methodology

To fully understand hearing aids, our reviews team members immersed themselves in the current published research on hearing loss and hearing aid devices, interviewed experts and hearing loss professionals, read thousands of reviews on trusted third-party sites, and deployed a survey of more than 600 hearing aid users to understand their customer experience.

We considered cost, the variety of hearing loss Starkey can treat, and special features offered, such as digital noise reduction and rechargeable batteries.

Once our research team made its selections, an audiologist medically reviewed our picks to vet each brand and model.

We determined our top picks for the best hearing aids based on the following criteria:

  • Special features
  • User experience
  • Cost
  • Customer service
  • Reputation and credibility

The Bottom Line

We included Starkey on our list of the best hearing aids because of the available advanced technology features, like sensors that can track your activity and detect falls. Starkey also offers a wide variety of hearing aid styles, giving you more options to choose from when comparing models. While Starkey hearing aids are more expensive than some direct-to-consumer brands, they do provide an impressive level of connectivity and app functionality. Starkey might be the right choice if you’re looking for a hearing aid with artificial intelligence that detects falls and has other advanced features.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a pair of Starkey hearing aids cost?

Starkey hearing aid prices range from $1,000 to $3,000 per device, or $2,000 to $6,000 per pair, depending on the model and your provider. Starkey hearing aids are available through hearing centers and hearing professionals. Hearing aid costs vary across different retailers and providers, and the price depends on the additional features you include.

How long do Starkey hearing aid batteries last?

Starkey states that standard zinc-air hearing aid batteries can last anywhere from 3 to 22 days, depending on the hearing aid and battery type and your use. Starkey rechargeable hearing aids can last up to 24 hours on a single charge. To maximize the battery life, turn off your hearing aid when not in use, remove the battery entirely if you won’t be using them for an extended period, and don’t store the batteries in cold or hot temperatures.

Which has higher ratings between Starkey vs. Phonak hearing aids?

Starkey has a higher rating than Phonak on Trustpilot, while Phonak is rated higher by the BBB. On Trustpilot, Starkey has a 3.3 out of 5 stars, and on the BBB, Starkey has an A+ rating and an average customer rating of 1 out of 5. On Trustpilot, Phonak has 1.8 out of 5 stars, and on BBB, Phonak has an A+ rating and an average customer rating of 2.11 out of 5. It’s important to note there are minimal reviews on both sites, so they may not provide a full picture.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

Resources

  • Hearing Aids Survey. 600 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched March 4, 2022.
  • Interview With Amy Myers. University of North Carolina in Greensboro. March 15, 2022.

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Starkey Hearing Aids Review (2024) | Pricing, Features & More (2024)

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