Starkey Halo 2 Hearing Aid

I’ve sent these aids back for repair within the 3-year warranty. But they still squeak. You have tried to make improvements but it’s still not working like they did the first two years. Now i’ve moved to Pittsboro, NC. I will be going again tomorrow to see if I can pursue this to my satisfaction. The iPhone  doesn’t stay programmed and I am looking for someone who has worked with Starkey. I am very patient and if you see the list of professionals I have been seen by, you will agree! These aids are Halo 2. ric 312, i2400

Likes:

Good connection with iPhone through Trulink app. Answering/talking on the phone  works well. Streaming music sounds good. Battery life is reasonable to me, about 6 -8 days.

Dislikes

I have severe/profound hearing loss. The basic HA setting is OK, much better than no HA. However the various programs for restaurant, car, wind noise, etc. seem to do very little to help with my hearing in those situations. Some of the problem could be me not pushing for better tuning, some to the audi for not encouraging more feedback details.

The HA is just OK for listening to music as compared to streaming music.

They worked great for first year then went south. Background noise & Understanding speech were impossible. I went to 4 different audiologists and they all reprogrammed with no improvement. Gave up and getting new Oticon OPN S-1.

When I bought these about 2-1/2 years ago, I wanted the best and latest technology with great local and vendor support. Support-wise, met all my expectations. I really like the audio streaming in both ears when using my iPhone for calls or listened to media channels. Not so much for music though, would rather listen to music w/o streaming and go the traditional way like I did before hearing aids. Some tones sound a bit off from the songs I remember, though - probably me and not the hearing aids causing that. One thing I still struggle with is understanding someone's voice in the office when they are only a few feet from me. Usually females, but some soft-spoken males are tough to understand, too. When I adjust the program to hear them, it helps. But then it picks up the office "white noise" more, so I revert back to the "normal" setting. My audiologist is great and tries to reprogram them when I get time and she's available to help me. I wish these could be programmed remotely - not so. Will have to spend more $$$ to upgrade, I guess.

I get feed back/whistling in my aids from certian sounds and a lot of them are in music which is a real bummer cause i used to enjoy listening to music but more and more find myself just turning it off. I get popping and crackling in my aids when i try to stream music through them which makes it miserable to stream music. when the aids go to stream mode one aid will quit working like it gets shut off or get stuck in stream mode, the only way to fix it is to open the battery door and then reconnect everything, very frustrating. I still have a hard time in crowds and even one on one in conversation especially with people who have higher pitched voices or talk very quitley. I do like having them for some enviroments and they do help me but these are some of my frustrations.

I've had a pair of Starkey Halo 2 RIC 13 i2400's for nearly a year now. As someone whom has worn hearing aids my entire life...over 40 years...my experience with the Halo2 has been profoundly disappointing. Major issues include: - Frequent failure of the RIC (in-canal equipment). Barely two weeks pass, before I need to send my RIC in for repairs. I've had to purchase multiple RIC pairs, just so that I can function while waiting for the repair center to return another set. Yes, this means I'm effectively sending in one RIC for repair EVERY SINGLE WEEK...that's well over 30 RIC repairs I've needed since the original purchase less than a year ago. - They are absolutely NOT moisture-resistant. If you're perspiring enough for sweat to bead and roll down your face, you are absolutely guaranteed to find that sweat also collects on/under the poorly designed microphone covers. This requires that I remove the cover, dab away moisture, and then re-assemble the hearing aids multiple times per hour. I've had hearing aids from Phonak and other brands in the past, and never encountered such an unreliability. Do Starkey engineers even test their products in real-world scenarios? - RICs are NOT tolerant of constant-noise environments. For instance; driving down the road. If I'm in the car for more than roughly ONE HOUR, the constant noise essentially overheats both of my RICs, and all I can hear is loud clattering and static, unless/until I power off the hearing aids, wait about 30 minutes, and then power them back on. - Bluetooth functions work OK, if you only pair to one device, ever. If you try pairing to both an iPhone, and then later to an iPad, you'll find that your hearing aids often disconnect and/or reboot when videos are playing, or the hearing aids simply disconnect a random times throughout any sort of video or audio streaming, including phone calls. This issue occurs even if only one of the paired devices (e.g. iPhone or iPad) is powered-on...running the latest Halo2 firmware, and the latest iOS versions. - At this very moment, the simple act of me tying at a keyboard has resulted in one of my RICs giving a hollow/booming sound, instead of the normal sound of keyboard keys clatting; which I can still hear in the other ear. - Starkey has admitted that their AP70 model RICs are defective from the factory, if they include a manufacturer-recommended "subwoofer" feature: every single one of them. At times Starkey has claimed to have resolved the issue, but they have since admitted that the issue is being "managed" and that its not actually "resolved". Starkey's "management" of this defect is to repair RICs for "free" during the first two years, and then require you to purchase another set of RICs after the two year warranty period has exhausted. Note that Starkey does NOT pre-pay nor reimburse shipping costs, when sending the hearing aids to their repair center. - When RICs are returned from repair, they never fit right again. The polished coatings usually wear off after a few days, and I've had to battle multiple instances of ear canal blisters and sores...an issue I've NEVER encountered with any other hearing aid model, in the forty years I've worn hearing aids. - With a profound hearing loss, I'm highly dependent upon hearing aids for any sort of audio input; removal or malfunction shuts me off from the world. - Battery life is approximately two days. - All-considered, on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best. I would rate the Halo2 at ONE STAR: a single star is because of a iPhone/bluetooth integration feature; this is greatly valued and difficult to find anywhere else. However, all the other issues prevent any further stars.

I have bluetooth issues. During music or phone calls I all of a sudden get static or buzzing sound that bounces from one hearing aid to the other for 5 seconds or so. Can't really hear person when that is going on. Have worked with Apple and Starkey with so far no solution. Engineer at Starkey says know one else has this problem and actually has my hearing aids now and is not seeing the problem. Apple sent the issue to a higher tech group that I can't communicate with anymore. They took data from my iphone and that caused it to get bumped up to the level it is at. Not sure if the really found a problem or just brushed me off.

I have the Starkey Halo 2 hearing aids, iPhone telephone conversations will keep disconnecting. I've never been able to have a conversation that hasn't disconnected. Bluetooth keeps dropping off and on. Starkey said it's the software that effects all Bluetooth devices, but the halo 2 is the only device I have that's effected. I connect the halo 1's up and never have a problem. regardless of which iPhone update that I have had. They are great for everything else. But the iPhone feature is the main reason that I purchased them. I can't use them if I can't talk on the phone with them. I have tried all of the tricks that starkey showed me as far as rebooting the phone, forgetting the device and re pairing them, but in some cases it's worse. I read on one review that a person turned Bluetooth off and back on, but that didn't work either. Of course when I take them into the hearing center they say the same thing that Starkey says, that it's a software problem, but it's not if the Halo 2 is the only device that doesn't work. Any help would be appreciated. Ray

The jury is still out on this one. I've only had them for a few days, and even before I left the audiologist the L & R were not syncing properly and the volume control on the device also not working at all. So I walked out with them as loaners and will be getting new ones in a week. I'm using my iphone 6s bluetooth & Trulink software and have been having very unreliable results ok to make calls but not receive, one ear bluetooth dropping, crackling during calls, etc. I'm not convinced bluetooth is the way to go if you want RELIABLE streaming. On the bright side, i find them very comfortable IN and over the ear, but the behind the ear part is a bit... warm and bulky. About the same size as my 8.5 year old phonaks (reliability = 5), so probably just takes some getting used to. Of course the hearing aid improves the sound of everything in every condition, but only slightly more so than my old phonaks, and my old phonaks had no volume control! Definitely issues with feedback/screeching (I'm still looking for the right way to describe this) when turn up the volume. I'm not sure if this is typical of ALL hearing aids or just the Halo 2 though. I cannot report on battery life, as I haven't had to change them yet. I'm also concerned about battery drain on phone having bluetooth on all the time, and how it will work when in crowded locations... if I'm upstairs my phone syncs with my neighbors speakers. I was hoping I could leave bluetooth off and then only turn it on when I wanted to make calls, or switch mid call, but i think that might be too much to ask iphone.

I have been in hearing aids for 10 years or so. I needed more help hearing so I went with the Starkey Halo i2400 with molded earpieces about four weeks ago. I have them paired up with my iPhone 5s (Ver10.3.2 IOS). Overall, I can hear and understand much better. After the initial fitting, I had two more trips a week apart for adjustments, and then, a third trip for a checkup and tests. On a speech recognition test, I went from 24% word recognition with my old HAs to 76% with the Starkeys. On the tone test I needed 65 to 80 dB to hear a tone with my old HA s. Now I can hear tones in the 40 - 50 dB range. Using the iPhone with my HA s works well for adjusting sound levels, phone calls, and with iTunes. I do better with phone calls to my cell/ HA combination rather than over our landline. Although I can hear the landline better now than before. The HA has settings to screen out wind noise, machine noise, etc. So far I have not noticed much difference using those settings. But there are quite a few setting combinations and I am still learning what works best for me.

The hearing aids work fine until you pair them with an Iphone, though it may not be all Starkey's fault. IOS 10 really messed things up, but when I went to IOS 10.3, they started working as they should after I sent them back due to a bad bluetooth radio. 10.3.2 messed things up again such that one or the other of the aids loses connection to the phone...sort of. When this happens, the streaming still seems to occur, but the phone does not show you that the hearing aid is there (in my case, it was the right aid). After fussing with it and doing everything I could think of like unpairing, power cycling both the phone and aid and pairing again, the only thing that seems to have fixed it was a complete wipe of the phone. If you do this, do NOT backup to Itunes and then restore from there after the phone wipe. In my case, the problem immediately came back. What I ended up doing is resetting the phone, setting it up as a new phone and then pairing. Worked fine. I then had to go into Itunes and sync (not restore) my music, photos, files and such. I did end up losing my archived imessages and had to reenter all my passwords. Also, battery life if you stream is only about 4-5 days. Further, if you want high fidelity for music out of these, forget it. For music, they are tinny and the sounds have a lot of vibration type noises. Think a car speaker going out, but just not as bad. Another issue I have had is that sometimes when I start to stream, I will get a clicking noise in one ear or another. Usually, going out of the app and back in fixes that. I also hear an odd noise in both aids that sound a little like an old telephone modem connecting, but that lasts for just a few seconds. The times I have had to call Starkey tech support, they have been very friendly. Not always real helpful because many of the problems have been with IOS, but they tried. If you are using an Iphone with IOS 10, I would suggest waiting to buy or pair these until the connectivity bugs are worked out. Who knows what they will mess up with IOS 11.

Only have been wearing these for about a month, constantly have the feeling they are not fitted correctly. They feel as if they slide out of my ears. The provider has tried to shorten and lengthen the wire, smaller and bigger domes. I'm constantly pushing them back in as they just seems to slide out after a couple hours. As a TECHIE, The iPhone app isn't that great and neither is the Android app, only worse. Which is the reason to purchase the "Higher Grade" devices. Starkey needs to setup the interface and functionality of both apps. Overall I'm mildly happy with the devices as it does help with the Tinnitus I have.

Before getting the Starkey Halo 2 i2400: Several people complained that my TV was too loud, anyone who entered my home and my neighbors once asked me to change the channel to what they were watched. Guess they wanted stereo effects. Just as any movie would reach the most interesting part of the drama, their voices would drop, then I could not piece together as the plot was given. I would hit the replay, still, I could not understand what they were saying. I could no longer hear the full conversation on the phone, several just quit calling me. Not really friends, were they? My advice, all should take a "compassionate empathy" pill. I remember watching lips so that I might read what they were saying, if they would slow down their speech, sometimes I could hear and understand. I went to the hearing test, during the first week of Clinic opening, expecting to at least learn what was wrong. After the purchase of Starkey Halo 2 i2400: The factory representative was visiting the clinic and interviewed me after my exam and test. Specialist explained using a drawing that looked like a banana. Said, "You can hear the tip ends but nothing in the sway of the banana." She even told me the letters I could not distinguish. Imagine trying to follow directions, you were told to turn left at the "st"op sign not the "sh"op sign. For me, my problem was caused by a firecracker prank that went wrong 32 years ago, blast went off at ear level, full impact. I noticed she had a hearing aid and asked if she would recommend the same for me. She silently fitted me, then, I heard her full voice with the Starkey and told her that she had the voice of an angel, with a definite foreign accent. After dark that night, I walked outside...not having heard night sounds for so long, the crickets and tree frogs were very noisy. During the day, I now enjoy the birds chirping. Most importantly, I can not hear the sounds of feet approaching when my back is turned. The answer is no to your next question...no. I can not hear the sound of wings when the Monarch takes flight. But, I am patient. Technology is great, and in a few years, maybe Starkey can make that too happen for me. Would I recommend Starkey and my Provider? Yes, I already have, and my referral also bought a Starkey from my Provider. Either I had trouble setting my program or the Starkey would not stay paired with my iPhone. Returned it to my Provider, they set it for me. After two visits and still in warranty period, they returned to the factory. Strange the way things happen. The same factory repr was visiting the day I picked up my Starkey. I made a comment that when I did not have my Starkey in my ear that I could not hear the phone ring. Great factory repr, she either found the solution on my iPhone or within the Starkey program and set the cell to a strobe lite when it begins to ring. How are things going with my hearing aid? Simply put, this was a match made in Heaven.

I have had the Starkey Halo 2 i2400 for approximately 6 months. Had original Halos prior to that for 1 year. The i2400 were an upgrade due to continuous problems with original Halos. Happy with the Halo2. I may be a little obsessive in managing them in that the original Halo gave me fits keeping the microphones open. The Halo2 has been much more reliable and I am not visiting my Audiologist (Kaw Valley Hearing in Lawrence Ks) on a monthly basis. The aids themselves are a life saver on phone conversation and not needing to use the phone receiver but my iPhone instead. Regarding the bluetooth issue, have had some of the issues of dropped/buzzing/interference. Understanding the competition of bluetooth devices and connectivity and competition, I am surprised that I don't have more issues. In the end, expensive but they are the best aids I have had (4 sets, 2 Phonak). If you use the phone for work and want reliability these are worth the money.

So far so good. I can actually hear conversations without saying, "what" all the time. I like that through Bluetooth I can turn up the mic volume from my phone. The only thing that would make the hearing aids exponentially more valuable is if the can syream phone calls and music.

For almost $8,000.00, I was expecting to have quite an improvement in being able to understand voices in a noisy environment. I am not change settings for each hearing environment because it can change so quickly. I can understand why some people don't wear their hearing aids half the time.

I purchased this model for its iPhone compatibility. It depends on Bluetooth. The Bluetooth capability is terrible. Inexplainable drops, spotty connections. The TruLink iOS app is poorly implemented and very buggy. It isn't well reviewed and updated infrequently with little or no improvements. Very amature. Bluetooth technology is not new. It is a mature technology that should not be difficult to implement. If Starkey wants to succeed in this Bluetooth market space they cannot ignore the poor quality of this current offering. The baby boomers that are just reaching retirement age are technologically sophisticated.

They will not stay paired with my iPhone. Its very frustrating because that is the only way I can turn on the tinnitus control. I'm also frustrated when my phone rings in my car. I have hands free phones and the call switches every minute or so between the hands free and my hearing aids.

They work very well for my son. He has Auditory Neuropathy that is a condition that can fluctuate. Using the Starkey products we have been able to avoid getting the CI. I am beyond words on how well he is doing with the new hearing aids. He has been wearing hearing aids since he was 18 months. we love the starkey HA's because their flexibility and programming ability.

I went with Halo 2 because I wanted to control my hearing aids from my phone without have an intermediate "dongle". They worked as advertised for a while after a few months I began to have problems with the Bluetooth connectivity. When I would initiate a telephone call or stream music, the hearing aids would connect right away. However, after 30 seconds to a couple of minutes, one hearing aid would make a "fizzle" sound and I would lose audio in that ear. Shortly thereafter, the other ear would do the same thing. If I had a call in progress, I had to scramble to switch the iPhone to speaker mode so I could continue the call hands free. This happened to me a couple times driving until I learned keep the call on the phone. Worse, when the audio dropped, the iPhone no longer recognized the hearing aids. The only way to get audio back was to turn off the iPhone, cycle the hearing battery doors, and turn the phone back on again. My audiologist sent the hearing aids back once - Starkey replaced them. I had the same problem with the new pair so we sent those back. Starkey checked the functionality on the new pair and sent them back with a note that maybe the problem is my iPhone and its iOS. My audiologist has thrown up her hands and suggest I complain to Apple. I am very disappointed - this top of the line system has not yet proven to be worth the money .

Not much improvement for the high cost. Worthless in background noise.

Used for one month on a trial basis. Big improvement over 5-year-old instruments currently owned. I really like the iPhone compatibility for streaming phone calls and music. But music often sounds distorted due to Bluetooth issues. Aids also unpair sometimes, especially if phone is left in another room. I like the programs you can customize through the TruLink app. And the preprogrammed settings for Car and Restaurant work well. I like the battery life with the 13 size batteries, but they often wear down unevenly and the weaker side will lose Bluetooth though still operating on the Normal program. The active listening, with the iPhone as a microphone, is great for hearing the announcers during loud sports programming. In general, I wish I had better results from trying to understand speech in loud background settings.

I just spent $7200 on these hearing aids and I'm disappointed. I heard much better with the Phonaks I had before. If there's loud background noise I can't hear at all. Overall its like listening to a radio that's on the fritz.