Signia Active Mini IX vs. Starkey Edge AI
Check out our comparison of the Signia Active Mini IX vs Starkey Edge AI. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.
Product Overview
Expert Ratings
Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.
HearingTracker Score
Signia Active Mini IX earned a 4.2/5 score and an A SoundGrade in our lab testing. See how the compact earbud-style prescription hearing aid performed.
Read full reviewEdge AI is equipped with Starkey's all-new G2 Neuro Processor with an integrated neural processing unit that classifies complex soundscapes, enhances speech, and reduces noise in real-time using advanced AI.
Read full reviewHearAdvisor SoundScore
Signia Active Mini IX achieved a SoundScore of 4.5/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #14 of 39 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.
Starkey Edge AI RIC achieved a SoundScore of 4.3/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #20 of 39 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.
Build Quality
Active Mini IX has an IP rating of 68, meaning it has excellent protection against dust and moisture. This is consistent with my hands-on testing which suggested it is built well and will hold-up to daily use.
Edge AI have excellent build quality as evidenced by their IP68 ingress rating. However, the portable charging case does not feel as robust compared to other prescription hearing aid brands.
Battery
Active Mini IX have a reported battery life of 21 per charge. While this is less than Active Pro IX, it should be enough to get most people through their day without needing to recharge.
Edge 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
Signia Active Mini hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing for audio streaming and hands-free calling (iOS and LE Audio). The audio streaming quality could be better, especially during phone calls where I noted frequent artifacts and drop outs.
Edge AI hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing for audio streaming and hands-free calling.
App Features
Signia's hearing aid app stands out with its user-friendly interface and modern, appealing design. It includes practical features like the ability to control the focus of your hearing aids and a mask mode to enhance speech clarity. Additionally, the app offers wellness features, utilizing hearing aid motion sensors for activity tracking.
The My Starkey app features an updated look and offers useful features like sound customization and health tracking. However, user reviews indicate that connection issues can occur.
Comfort
I found the instant-fit comfort and retention of Active Mini good. Your hearing care provider can demo various ear tips to find the best fit for your ears and hearing needs.
Edge AI are capable of excellent comfort which can be personalized by your hearing care provider.
Design
Active Mini take the aesthetic of Active Pro a step further with an even smaller earbud design. This can be highly desirable if you are looking for an instant fit hearing aid and Signia gives you several color options to choose from.
I find Edge AI hearing aids similar to their previous generation Genesis, and overall more modern and sleek compared to the previous Evolv AI generation. Starkey also offers various color choices and the fitting can be adjusted to meet your needs and preferences.
Value
Signia Active Mini IX has a value score of 3.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
Starkey Edge AI RIC has a value score of 3.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
Handling
Active Mini IX worked great in my testing with the only real issue involving occasional difficulty placing them properly into the charging case (the magnetic pins could be stronger). Additionally, I wish Active Mini and Pro IX offered tap controls to accompany their streaming capabilities.
Edge AI and the associated app are very easy to use, though the receiver-in-ear style may require some initial practice.
Pro Support
You should receive quality hearing care and support from your provider. The Signia App should enhance your experience with AI assistance and user-friendly virtual appointments, given your provider offers telehealth services.
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.
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
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 (RIC RT)
StarLink Premium Charger 2.0 (RIC RT)
StreamLine Mic+2
A wireless clip-on mic that streams audio to hearing aids from any Bluetooth device.
miniPocket
Enables push-button remote control of hearing aid functions.
Signia App+2
The Signia App provides a remote control, directional hearing control, telecare access, and access to connectivity and streaming settings.
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.
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 Sound+1
The Signia TV Sound is a high-quality stereo audio streaming device designed to deliver clear TV audio directly to Bluetooth-enabled Signia hearing aids. It connects to a TV via an analog or optical cable and requires a USB power source. Pairing is simple—users turn on the device, restart their hearing aids, and place them within 20 cm to establish a connection. Once paired, audio streaming can be controlled via the Signia app, allowing users to start, pause, and adjust the volume effortlessly. This device enhances the TV listening experience for Signia hearing aid users by providing direct, latency-free sound transmission.
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
- Made for iPhone (MFi)
- Android (ASHA)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
- Bluetooth® Auracast™
- Made for iPhone (MFi)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
- Program control
- Volume Control
- Mute control
- Power on/off
- Accessory volume
- Tinnitus volume
- Edge Mode+
- Manual Alert
- Accept/end calls
- Play/Pause
- Voice assistant
- Edge Mode+
Software Features
- Personalization
- User Control
- App Control
- Adaptive
- Dynamic
- Directional
- Consonant Enhancement
- Voice AI