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Audicus Spirit vs. Starkey Genesis AI

Check out our comparison of the Audicus Spirit vs Starkey Genesis AI. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Audicus Spirit
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Audicus

Spirit

$1,798 per pair
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Score
4.1
Starkey Genesis AI RIC RT 24
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Starkey

Genesis AI RIC RT 24

SoundScore 3.5/5
$2,798 per pair
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Spirit
$1,798 per pair
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Genesis AI
$2,798 per pair
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Product Overview

Spirit
Genesis AI
Form Factor
Form FactorThis type of hearing aid sits behind the ear. A wire runs along the top of the ear and down to a speaker sitting inside the ear canal. An custom-fitted mold may be required.
Form FactorThis type of hearing aid sits behind the ear. A wire runs along the top of the ear and down to a speaker sitting inside the ear canal. An custom-fitted mold may be required.
Expert Rating
N/A
Score
4.1
User Rating
4.02 reviews
3.512 reviews
Hearing Loss LevelHearing Loss LevelThis represents HearingTracker's best guess on suitability. Please consult a licensed audiologist to confirm your own candidacy for this device.
MildModerate
MildModerateSevere
Product Features
RechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68
Hands-freeRechargeableAndroidTelecoilIP68

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

Spirit
Genesis AI

HearingTracker Score

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
4.1ABOVE AVERAGE

Starkey Genesis AI, launched in February 2023, is the previous generation of advanced hearing aids from American hearing aid manufacturer Starkey. Products in the family feature industry-leading rechargeable battery life, advanced AI-driven sound processing, and a redesigned ergonomic shape. It offers extensive features such as health and fitness tracking, fall detection, and compatibility with both iOS and Android devices for audio streaming and hands-free calling.

Read full review

HearAdvisor SoundScore

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
3.5AVERAGE

Starkey Genesis AI achieved a SoundScore of 3.50/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #26 of 35 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.91/5.

Build Quality

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
4.8EXCELLENT

Starkey has improved the overall build quality with Genesis, as evidenced by the enhanced IP68 ingress rating. However, the portable charging case still feels somewhat less premium compared to those from other prescription hearing aid brands.

Battery

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
4.6EXCELLENT

Genesis AI offers an impressive 51 hour battery life on a single charge, with a quick recharge time of just 3.5 hours. Their rechargeable battery outperforms most products available today.

Bluetooth

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
5.0EXCELLENT

Genesis AI hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing for audio streaming and hands-free calling.

App Features

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
4.6EXCELLENT

The new My Starkey app features an updated look and retains useful features like sound customization and health tracking. However, user reviews indicate that connection issues persist.

Comfort

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
5.0EXCELLENT

Genesis AI RIC are capable of excellent comfort which can be personalized by your hearing care provider.

Design

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
5.0EXCELLENT

I find Genesis hearing aids to be more modern and sleek compared to Starkey's previous generation. There are various color choices and the fitting can be adjusted to meet your needs and preferences.

Value

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
3.0BELOW AVERAGE

Starkey Genesis AI has a value score of 3.0/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Handling

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
4.7EXCELLENT

Genesis AI and the associated app are very easy to use, though the receiver-in-ear style may require some initial practice.

Pro Support

Spirit

Not yet rated by our experts

Genesis AI
5.0EXCELLENT

You should receive quality hearing care and support from your provider. Starkey also offers technical support and provides a Telehear remote services app, connecting your with your provider for remote care.

Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

Spirit
Genesis AI
Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Spirit

Lab recordings not yet available

Genesis AI
Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Spirit

Lab recordings not yet available

Genesis AI
Streaming MusicStreaming MusicStreaming music provides a full range of bass and treble
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Spirit

Lab recordings not yet available

Genesis AI

HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.

Accessories

Compatible accessories for each hearing aid

Spirit
Genesis AI
Battery Charger
None

StarLink Charger

Unique StarLink Chargers for Genesis AI mRIC R and RIC RT hearing aids – same design but with different charging slots to ensure secure hearing aid placement. These new chargers include on-board turbo charging for three hours of hearing aid use time in just seven minutes of charging and must be plugged into an external power source (i.e, wall outlet) to function/charge the hearing aids.

StarLink Premium Mini Charger

Unique StarLink Premium Mini Chargers for Genesis AI mRIC R and RIC RT hearing aids – same design but with different charging slots to ensure secure hearing aid placement. These new chargers include on-board turbo charging for three hours of hearing aid use time in just seven minutes of charging and an on-board battery for on-the-go charging.

StarLink Charger 2.0 (RIC RT)

StarLink Premium Charger 2.0 (RIC RT)

Bluetooth Streamer
None

StarLink Remote Microphone ++5

Streams audio from a variety of sources to select Starkey hearing aids.

CROS System
None

CROS

CROS system for Starkey Genesis AI.

Remote Control

RemoteControl

Hearing Remote App+1

Remote

Remote Microphone

Partner Mic

StarLink Mini Remote Microphone

The Starkey StarLink Mini Remote Microphone enables hearing aid wearers to focus on a single speaker, making it ideal for noisy environments or television listening. The microphone pairs once and then automatically recognizes the hearing aids, and pairing can be done either within or outside the fitting software. It has a range of up to 65 feet and streams audio for up to 10 hours on a full charge. Volume and other settings can be adjusted via the hearing aid mobile app or remote.

StarLink Table Microphone

The Table Microphone is placed on a table to improve hearing for speech in a group setting. It contains 8 built-in microphones and transmits sound via a 2.4Ghz wireless connection.

Smartphone App
None

My Starkey

Designed with the input of hearing aid wearers, My Starkey pairs with select Starkey hearing aids to help you enjoy greater listening moments, improved well-being, and easier everyday living — all from the palm of your hand.

TV Streamer

TV Connector

Streams TV audio via Bluetooth.

StarLink TV Streamer+1

Plugs into analog or digital outputs and streams audio to select Starkey hearing aids.

Hardware

Spirit
Genesis AI
AccelerometerAccelerometerThis hearing aid is capable of measuring acceleration through an embedded sensor.
No
Yes
Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.
  • Bluetooth® (A2DP)
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
Disposable BatteriesDisposable BatteriesCommon disposable batteries last anywhere from a few days to two weeks or more. For more information Google "how long do hearing aid batteries last" and click on the Hearing Tracker link.
No
10
GyroscopeGyroscopeThis hearing aid is able to determine orientation using embedded sensors.
No
Yes
Hands-Free CallingHands-Free CallingIt is possible to have a hands-free phone call with this hearing aid. You are not required to hold the phone up to your mouth.
No
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.
IP68
IP68
Push ButtonPush ButtonThe hearing aid features a push button which allows toggling across different sound processing programs
No
  • Program control
  • Volume Control
  • Mute control
  • Power on/off
  • Accessory volume
  • Tinnitus volume
  • Edge Mode+
  • Manual Alert
Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable BatteriesCharge your batteries overnight in a docking station and get a full day's use (in most cases) of battery life the following day.
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Tap ControlsTap ControlsThe hearing aid may be controlled by physically tapping it with your fingers.
No
  • Play/Pause
  • Voice assistant
  • Edge Mode+
TelecoilTelecoilThe hearing aid is able to pick up audio from landline telephones or public audio systems without using its acoustic microphones. This minimizes background noise and improves clarity and understanding, even over great distances. At performing arts venues, events, government meetings, etc., look for assistive listening systems (hearing loop, FM, and infrared systems), which must be provided at no cost under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other international regulations.
Yes
Yes
Volume RockerVolume RockerA volume rocker or wheel to allows the adjustment of volume with a finger.
Yes
Yes

Software Features

Spirit
Genesis AI
Adjustment BandsAdjustment BandsThese are frequency-divided sections that can be adjusted in a hearing aid in order to amplify sounds. Although there are rarely more than 10 frequencies measured in a hearing assessment, having more bands that can be adjusted may allow for improved speech understanding and user comfort.
14
24
Adjustment SynchronizationAdjustment SynchronizationThis feature allows for a more pleasant listening experience by ensuring that both hearing aids process sound the same way. If one hearing aid changes its processing in response to noise or speech, it will send a wireless signal to the other hearing aid so both process sound in the same way.
Binural synchronizationBinural synchronizationBinaural synchronization of hearing aids for volume and program control
Ear-to-Ear TechnologyEar-to-Ear TechnologyEar to Ear enhances sound quality and reduces listening effort by automatically adjusting synced wireless hearing aids to facilitate the best signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and comfort in any listening situation.
AI Noise RemovalAI Noise RemovalArtificial Intelligence is utilized to remove or modify background noise from the sound signal to help isolate speech for better speech understanding.
No
  • Personalization
  • User Control
  • App Control
Automatic Phone ProgramAutomatic Phone ProgramHearing aids with this feature can detect when a phone is placed near them and automatically switch to a phone program. In this setting, the hearing aids will reduce background noise and increase the volume of the phone.
No
Autocoil and AutophoneAutocoil and AutophoneHearing aids with this feature can detect when a phone is placed near them and automatically switch to a phone program. In this setting, the hearing aids will reduce background noise and increase the volume of the phone.
DirectionalityDirectionalityDepending on the types and number of microphones a hearing aid has, the hearing aid may be able to boost sounds from specific directions (by reducing sounds from other directions). This can be helpful to focus on a speaker directly in front of the hearing aid user, as well as to give the user information about where different sounds are coming from.
No
  • Adaptive
  • Dynamic
  • Directional
Environmental AdaptationEnvironmental AdaptationThe hearing aid can detect different acoustical environments, like speech in noise, and adjust the sound of the hearing aid accordingly to drive comfort or speech understanding, etc.
Universal auto-adaptive programUniversal auto-adaptive programDefault universal auto-adaptive program adjusts to environments, amplifying close sounds while eliminating background noise
Sound ManagerSound ManagerGenesis AI's sound manager is trained on a larger and more diverse database of sounds making Genesis AI more accurate than ever. Both Evolv AI and Genesis AI have 7 different sound classifications that the hearing aid will automatically identify and apply adjustments on a channel-by-channel basis to help preserve the most important signal of all: speech.
ExpansionExpansionExpansion reduces audibility for very soft sounds. This can help to remove microphone noise, which is generated by soft environmental sounds.
No
4 levels
Extended bandwidthExtended bandwidthHearing aid provides amplification at frequencies (pitches) higher than the typical hearing aid.
No
Yes
Fall DetectionFall DetectionUsing embedded sensors, this hearing aid may detect falls and alert caregivers. Mobile app may be required.
No
Fall AlertFall AlertWhen a fall is detected by the system, an audio prompt asks the user if they have fallen. If the hearing aid user elects to send the Fall Alert message to his/her contacts, they receive confirmation when each contact has been successfully reached.
Feedback SuppressionFeedback SuppressionIf any sound amplified by the hearing aid escapes the ear canal, it may reach the hearing aid’s own microphone and cause a harsh whistling noise. Some hearing aids are able to recognize when this feedback occurs and reduce or eliminate it.
No
Feedback CancellerFeedback CancellerGenesis AI took Starkey's industry-leading feedback cancellation system and improved it's specificity by adding vent optimization. Vent optimization measures the amount of sound leaking out the ear canal back to the hearing aid microphones. If the software predicted less leakage than the measurement shows (i.e. using an occluded dome that is not as occluding as you might like), Pro Fit will ask the professional if they would like to adjust gain measurements to compensate for the additional leakage. The reverse is true.
Frequency LoweringFrequency LoweringUnderstanding certain speech sounds is dependent on the high frequency parts of these sounds. For individuals with high frequency hearing loss, this feature can take high frequency speech information and move it to lower frequencies where it will be audible.
No
Yes
Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)
4
4
Machine LearningMachine LearningThis hearing aid employs machine learning to bring a higher degree of computer-aided intelligence to decision making.
No
Yes
Machine Noise ReductionMachine Noise ReductionNoise reduction for loud machine noise.
No
E2E Machine Noise Adaptation: Up to 22 dBE2E Machine Noise AdaptationDescription not easily accessible
New User AdaptationNew User AdaptationProvider may set the hearing aid to gradually get louder over the first few weeks or months of a new hearing aid fitting. This can be convenient for new users who want to experience maximum benefit without making a lot of trips to the provider for tune ups.
No
Yes
Noise ReductionNoise ReductionThis feature uses modern hearing aids’ processing power to examine the incoming sound signal, determine if noise is present and reduce the volume of the troublesome sound to increase comfort.
No
Speech in Noise Reduction: Up to 22 dB
Phone in StereoPhone in StereoThis feature allows input from a phone presented to one hearing aid to be transmitted to both hearing aids at the same time, improving speech understanding.
No
E2E Phone StreamingE2E Phone StreamingThis feature allows input from a phone presented to one hearing aid to be transmitted to both hearing aids at the same time, improving speech understanding.
Power On DelayPower On DelayWhen you close the battery door to turn on your hearing aid, the hearing aid won't start producing sound for a certain amount of time. This can alleviate whistling (feedback) sound that sometimes occurs while inserting your hearing aid.
No
Yes
Processing ChannelsProcessing ChannelsThese are all the frequency-divided sections the hearing aid is able to examine at a single time. The hearing aid uses this information to determine whether the contents of each section are noise, speech, or something else and amplify the sound in each section accordingly.
14
64
Streaming Bass BoostStreaming Bass BoostBoosts bass when streaming audio
No
Yes
Sudden Loud Noise ReductionSudden Loud Noise ReductionThis feature detects loud sounds and reduces their volume to a comfortable level. Though not a replacement for hearing protection, this technology can greatly improve listener comfort.
No
Transient Noise Reduction: Up to 15 dBTransient Noise ReductionThis feature detects loud sounds and reduces their volume to a comfortable level. Though not a replacement for hearing protection, this technology can greatly improve listener comfort.
Tinnitus ReliefTinnitus ReliefTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.
Tinnitus MaskerTinnitus MaskerTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.
Multiflex Tinnitus ProMultiflex Tinnitus ProMultiflex Tinnitus Pro provides the next generation of tinnitus sound therapy for Edge AI hearing aids.
Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.
No
  • Consonant Enhancement
  • Voice AI
Wind Noise ReductionWind Noise ReductionAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.
No
Wind Reduction: Up to 35 dBWind ReductionAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.