Philips HearLink 9050 vs. Starkey Omega AI

Check out our comparison of the Philips HearLink 9050 vs Starkey Omega AI. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Philips HearLink 9050 miniRITE
Add Product
Featured Products
$1,599.99 per pair
Shop Now ↗
Score
4.5
Starkey Omega AI mRIC R 24
Add Product
Featured Products
SoundScore 4.5/5
$3,248 per pair
Shop Now ↗
HearLink 9050
$1,599.99 per pair
Shop Now ↗
Omega AI
$3,248 per pair
Shop Now ↗

Product Overview

HearLink 9050
Omega AI
Form Factor
Expert Rating
N/A
Score
4.5
User Rating
3.619 reviews
—
Hearing Loss Level
MildModerateSevere
MildModerateSevere
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidIP68+

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

HearLink 9050
Omega AI

HearingTracker Score

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega AI
4.5EXCELLENT

Starkey Omega AI is a top-tier prescription hearing aid with excellent speech-in-noise performance, a best-in-class app and wellness features, and standout durability and battery life—though its high price and feature-heavy setup won’t suit everyone.

Read full review

HearAdvisor SoundScore

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega AI
4.5EXCELLENT

Starkey Omega AI achieved a SoundScore of 4.5/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #13 of 39 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.

Build Quality

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega AI
5.0EXCELLENT

Starkey has improved the overall build quality with Omega, as evidenced by the enhanced IP68 ingress rating. The new portable charging case also feels well built.

Battery

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega AI
4.6EXCELLENT

Omega AI offers an impressive 51 hour battery life per charge, just like the previous Edge AI model., with a quick 3.5 recharge time.

Bluetooth

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega AI
5.0EXCELLENT

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

App Features

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega AI
5.0EXCELLENT

The new My Starkey app features an updated look and adds additional useful features for sound customization, health tracking, balance, and more.

Comfort

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega AI
5.0EXCELLENT

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

Design

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega AI
5.0EXCELLENT

Omega hearing aids are nearly identical to Starkeys previous Edge AI model. They are sleek, available in various colors, and can be adjusted to meet your needs.

Value

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega AI
3.4BELOW AVERAGE

Starkey Omega AI has a value score of 3.4/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Handling

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega AI
4.8EXCELLENT

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

Pro Support

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Omega 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.

HearLink 9050
Omega AI
Busy Cafe
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050

Lab recordings not yet available

Omega AI
Quiet Office
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050

Lab recordings not yet available

Omega AI
Streaming Music
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050

Lab recordings not yet available

Omega 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

HearLink 9050
Omega AI
Battery Charger

Charger Plus miniRITE+1

A fast, portable charger for traveling light and charging on the go. Charge for a full day's power in 1 hour or get 4 hours of use from a quick 15-minute charge.

HearLink desk charger

A faster contact charger for a full day’s power in one hour, or up to four hours of hearing in only 15 minutes.

StarLink Charger 2.0

The StarLink Charger 2.0 is designed to charge non-custom lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids, such as RIC RT and mRIC R styles. It requires an external power source, such as a wall outlet, for operation as it lacks an on-board battery. With turbo charging, users can get approximately 3 hours of use time from just 10 minutes of charging when the hearing aids' battery is low. Hearing aids are fully charged in 3.5 hours, and LED indicators show the charging status.

StarLink Premium Charger 2.0+1

The StarLink Premium Charger 2.0 offers the same charging capability for non-custom hearing aids like RIC RT and mRIC R but includes an on-board battery. This feature allows charging without being plugged into an external power source. The Premium charger can fully charge hearing aids up to three times on a single charge and offers turbo charging for quick boosts. It fully charges hearing aids in 3.5 hours, and LED indicators provide information about both the hearing aids' and the charger's battery status.

StarLink Charger 2.0 (mRIC R)

StarLink Premium Charger 2.0 (mRIC R)

Remote Control

AudioClip+3

The Philips AudioClip is a hearing aid accessory that serves as a remote microphone to help you better hear one-to-one conversations in noisy environments or when listening to someone speak from a distance.

Remote Control

To turn the volume up and down on your hearing aids you can use the Philips HearLink app. In case you prefer using the Philips Remote Control we have this option as well.

HearLink 2 app+2

App allows you to change programs, adjust the volume, mute your hearing aids, activate streaming options and personalize your sound. You can also use the app to connect with your hearing care specialist if you need to have your hearing aid settings adjusted remotely.

StarLink Remote Control 2.0

The Starkey StarLink Remote Control 2.0 is designed to control compatible 2.4 GHz hearing aids. Users can adjust volume, switch programs, and activate features like Edge Mode or Comfort Boost.

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 Adapter

Connect the Philips TV Adapter to your TV so you hear the sound from the TV directly in your hearing aids. This allows you to watch TV at your preferred volume.

StarLink Edge TV Streamer

Future-proof and Auracast ready, our Edge TV Streamer is 60% smaller than previous Starkey streamers and uses Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio protocol to stream audio straight from a TV to paired Edge AI hearing aids.

Hardware

HearLink 9050
Omega AI
Accelerometer
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth® Audio
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Bluetooth® Auracast™
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Bluetooth® Auracast™
Gyroscope
Yes
Yes
Hands-Free Calling
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
IP Rating
IP68
IP68+
Push Button
  • Program control
  • Volume Control
  • Mute control
  • Power on/off
  • Call accept/reject
  • Tinnitus volume
  • Airplane Mode
  • Program control
  • Volume Control
  • Mute control
  • Power on/off
  • Accessory volume
  • Tinnitus volume
  • Edge Mode+
  • Manual Alert
Rechargeable Batteries
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Tap Controls
  • Accept/end calls
  • Play/Pause
  • Voice assistant
  • Edge Mode+
Telecoil
Yes
No
Volume Rocker
No
Yes

Software Features

HearLink 9050
Omega AI
Adjustment Bands
Yes
24
Adjustment Synchronization
No
Ear-to-Ear Technology
AI Noise Removal
AI Noise Reduction
  • Personalization
  • User Control
  • App Control
Automatic Phone Program
No
Autocoil and Autophone
Better Ear Focus
Yes
No
Directionality
No
Directional ProcessingAdaptiveDynamicDirectionalDNN 360 Directionality
Ear Simulation
3 options
No
Environmental Adaptation
No
Sound Manager
Expansion
No
4 levels
Extended bandwidth
10kHz
Yes
Extended Dynamic Range
Yes
No
Fall Detection
No
Fall Alert
Feedback Suppression
Yes
Feedback Canceller
Frequency Lowering
Yes
Yes
Handling noise reduction
Yes
No
Listening Programs
4
4
Machine Learning
No
Yes
Machine Noise Reduction
No
E2E Machine Noise Adaptation: Up to 22 dB
New User Adaptation
Yes
Yes
Noise Reduction
No
Up to 22 dBSpeech in Loud Noise ReductionSpeech in Noise ReductionUp to 22 dB
Phone in Stereo
No
E2E Phone Streaming
Power On Delay
No
Yes
Processing Channels
64
64
Soft Speech Boost
Yes
No
Spatial Awareness
4 options
No
Spatial Noise Cancellation
Yes
DNN 360 Spatial Awareness
Streaming Bass Boost
Yes
Yes
Sudden Loud Noise Reduction
SoundProtect Transient Noise Reduction: 6 options
Transient Noise Reduction: Up to 15 dB
Tinnitus Relief
Tinnitus SoundSupport
Multiflex Tinnitus Pro
Unique Amplification Strategy
SoundGuideSoundMap 3Speech Clarifier5 options
  • Consonant Enhancement
  • Voice AI
Wind Noise Reduction
SoundProtect Wind Noise Management
Wind Reduction: Up to 35 dB