The new Starkey Edge AI family of hearing aids
Starkey continues to be a world leader in hearing aid design and technology. Towards the end of last year, they introduced the new Starkey Edge AI range of hearing devices. Let’s explore the key functionality of these devices.
But first, let us remind ourselves why hearing can be so challenging for people with hearing loss. Background noise can make conversations difficult to follow in social settings. Many people withdraw from social situations or feel exhausted from straining to understand speech in noisy environments.
Typically, the brain naturally processes speech in noise and helps us to focus on the voices we want to hear. When hearing loss occurs, we lose not only our ability to hear quieter sounds but also our ability to process sounds, even when they are heard. In effect, hearing loss distorts the sounds we hear, even when they are audible. Thus, anyone with cochlear hearing loss is always at a disadvantage when trying to understand speech in noise compared to someone with normal hearing. And this is even after hearing aids are worn and set up correctly.
Hearing aids have made remarkable progress in addressing this challenge, but many users still struggle in complex listening environments with multiple speakers or competing sounds.
Starkey’s Edge AI hearing aids address these challenges through advanced artificial intelligence and innovative sound processing technology. After investing over recent years in AI technology, their latest range of hearing devices represents a new approach to improving speech understanding in real-world situations.
The Power of the G2 Neuro Processor
At the core of Edge AI is Starkey’s new G2 Neuro Processor, featuring a fully integrated neural processing unit (NPU). Unlike competitors using two chips in one device, Starkey is keen to point out their single-chip devices, making them considerably smaller than their competitors and improving battery life.
The G2 Neuro Processor excels at classifying complex soundscapes, enhancing speech, and reducing noise in real time. This means a significant improvement in real-time processing, allowing the hearing aids to keep up with even the most complex listening environments.
Starkey claims the G2 processor delivers 100 times more processing power than their previous Genesis AI models. This allows the hearing devices to monitor the environment 60 times per second and adapt their settings for a truly personalized listening experience.
The Starkey Edge AI family of hearing devices
Starkey’s Edge AI family currently includes seven models, allowing for a wide range of hearing profiles and client preferences.
- RIC RT (Receiver-In-Canal with Disposable Battery)
- mRIC R (mini Receiver-In-Canal Rechargeable)
- RIC 312 (Receiver-In-Canal with Size 312 Battery)
- ITE R (In-The-Ear Rechargeable)
- ITC/HS R (In-The-Canal/Half Shell Rechargeable)
- CIC (Completely-In-Canal)
- CROS system
Speech understanding in background noise
As previously discussed, hearing in noise is a significant challenge for hearing aid users. Starkey claims that the G2 processor can detect speech 30% more accurately than its previous family of devices. They claim improvements in the signal-to-noise ratio of up to 13 dB, which is huge. Even small signal-to-noise ratio improvements can bring massive benefits when listening to background noise.
Improvements for everyday use
Edge AI offers solutions for common listening challenges that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable.
Water and Debris Protection
The rechargeable styles of Edge AI are waterproof up to 1 meter, providing protection against moisture and debris. This advanced protection system means you can wear your hearing aids with confidence during exercise, in light rain, or in humid conditions.
Long-Lasting Battery Performance
With up to 51 hours of use from a single charge, Edge AI maintains industry-leading battery life. This extended power means you can go through multiple days of heavy use, including streaming audio and phone calls, without recharge. The long battery life provides peace of mind for travel and busy days.
Future-Proof Connectivity
Edge AI integrates the new Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio streaming protocol, which delivers several advantages:
- Lower power consumption
- Next-generation connectivity standard
- Easier device pairing
- Quicker connections
- More robust streaming
- Auracast ready
Customization Through the My Starkey App
The use of apps to control hearing devices is now standard. From changing between different programs to adjusting the sound of hearing aids, the My Starkey app puts control at your fingertips. Some of the features include:
- Control center for hearing aids
- Apple Watch compatibility
- TeleHear remote sessions
- Health and balance assessment tools
- Convenience features for daily use
The benefits of using Starkey Edge AI hearing devices
We can talk about processing lower and AI technology; however, the real test of hearing devices is when they are being worn. What value do they add to your life as a hearing aid user? Some of the potential benefits include:
Social Gatherings and Restaurants
Edge AI’s neural processor rapidly identifies and focuses on the voices you want to hear in busy restaurants or social events. The system’s ability to reduce low-level noise by 6dB while maintaining speech clarity means you can participate in conversations more naturally, even in noisy environments.
Hearing at Work
The demands of work environments often involve video calls, in-person meetings, all in different sound environments. Starkey Edge AI’s Bluetooth capabilities enable seamless transitions between different audio sources, whether you’re on a video call, in a meeting, or having a one-on-one conversation with a colleague.
Entertainment and Lifestyle
Whether watching television, listening to music, or attending live performances, Starkey Edge AI’s sound processing maintains audio quality while making sure speech remains clear and distinguishable. The system’s ability to handle different types of audio input means you can enjoy entertainment without compromising sound quality.
Health and Wellness
Hearing aid devices have also crossed over into health and wellness, and Starkey is no exception. Some of their device features include:
- Activity tracking to monitor daily movement
- Balance assessment tools for proactive health management
- Integration with health monitoring through the My Starkey app
- Convenient features for managing daily hearing needs
Ultimately, if you feel you need help with your hearing, choosing your audiologist is the single most important decision to make. Hearing aid fitting is complex and you could pay a lot of money for hearing aids not set up optimally. At ‘The Hearing Space’ we have the expertise and time to ensure that your investment in your hearing is worthwhile. Call us today for more information. 0113 8730444