Signia Active Pro IX vs. Starkey Edge AI

Check out our comparison of the Signia Active Pro 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.

Score
4.5
Signia Active Pro IX
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SoundScore 4.6/5
$2,348 per pair
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Score
4.3
Starkey Edge AI RIC RT 24
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SoundScore 4.3/5
$3,198 per pair
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Active Pro IX
$2,348 per pair
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Edge AI
$3,198 per pair
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Product Overview

Active Pro IX
Edge AI
Form Factor
Expert Rating
Score
4.5
Score
4.3
User Rating
3.01 reviews
5.05 reviews
Hearing Loss Level
MildModerate
MildModerateSevere
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidIP68
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68+

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

Active Pro IX
Edge AI

HearingTracker Score

Active Pro IX
4.5EXCELLENT

The Signia Active Pro IX offers the functionality of a high-performance hearing aid in a sleek, earbud-like design, making it ideal for those who value both modern aesthetics and advanced hearing enhancement. Lab tests showed strong performance in speech clarity and music streaming, though its instant-fit design has some limitations, such as reduced feedback handling and lack of custom-fit personalization.

Read full review
Edge AI
4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

Edge 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 review

HearAdvisor SoundScore

Active Pro IX
4.6EXCELLENT

Signia Active Pro IX achieved a SoundScore of 4.6/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #8 of 39 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.

Edge AI
4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

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 Pro IX
4.9EXCELLENT

Active Pro 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
4.8EXCELLENT

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 Pro IX
4.4ABOVE AVERAGE

I love the all-day rechargeable battery life of Active Pro IX. Even with 5 hours of audio streaming, you can expect around 29 hours of user per charge.

Edge AI
4.6EXCELLENT

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

Active Pro IX
5.0EXCELLENT

Signia Active Pro hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing for audio streaming and hands-free calling. While streamed audio quality is not the best, I did not run into any issues while testing.

Edge AI
5.0EXCELLENT

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

App Features

Active Pro IX
5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Edge AI
4.6EXCELLENT

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

Active Pro IX
4.5EXCELLENT

I found the instant-fit comfort and retention of Active Pro good. Your hearing care provider can demo various ear tips to find the best fit for your ears and hearing needs.

Edge AI
5.0EXCELLENT

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

Design

Active Pro IX
5.0EXCELLENT

Active Pro IX have a modern earbud-like look, which may be desirable depending on your preferences, and you can choose among 6 colors.

Edge AI
5.0EXCELLENT

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

Active Pro IX
3.7AVERAGE

Signia Active Pro IX has a value score of 3.7/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Edge AI
3.3BELOW AVERAGE

Starkey Edge AI RIC has a value score of 3.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Handling

Active Pro IX
4.8EXCELLENT

I did not run into any issues while testing Active Pro IX. However, I do wish they offered ear-level controls such as buttons, or tap controls, as it would make the streaming features more user-friendly.

Edge AI
4.7EXCELLENT

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

Pro Support

Active Pro IX
5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Edge 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.

Active Pro IX
Edge AI
Busy Cafe
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Active Pro IX
Edge AI
Quiet Office
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Active Pro IX
Edge AI
Streaming Music
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Active Pro IX
Edge 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

Active Pro IX
Edge AI
Battery Charger
None

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)

Remote Control
None

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
None

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

Active Pro IX
Edge AI
Accelerometer
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth® Audio
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Bluetooth® Auracast™
Gyroscope
No
Yes
Hands-Free Calling
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
IP Rating
IP68
IP68+
Push Button
No
  • 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
No
Yes
Volume Rocker
No
Yes

Software Features

Active Pro IX
Edge AI
Adjustment Bands
20
24
Adjustment Synchronization
e2e wireless 4.0
Ear-to-Ear Technology
AI Noise Removal
No
  • Personalization
  • User Control
  • App Control
Automatic Phone Program
No
Autocoil and Autophone
Direction Selection
  • 5/5
No
Directionality
Binaural DirectionalitySpatial SpeechFocus
  • Adaptive
  • Dynamic
  • Directional
Ear Simulation
TruEar 360
No
Echo Reduction
Auto EchoShield
No
Environmental Adaptation
Conversation Dynamics AnalyzerConversation Source Analyzer5/5RealTime Conversation Enhancement5/5
Sound Manager
Expansion
No
4 levels
Extended bandwidth
12kHz
Yes
Extended Dynamic Range
Yes
No
Fall Detection
No
Fall Alert
Feedback Suppression
Feedback cancellation
Feedback Canceller
Frequency Lowering
No
Yes
Listening Programs
6
4
Machine Learning
No
Yes
Machine Noise Reduction
No
E2E Machine Noise Adaptation: Up to 22 dB
New User Adaptation
No
Yes
Noise Reduction
SoundSmoothing™: 3
Up to 22 dBSpeech in Loud Noise ReductionSpeech in Noise ReductionUp to 22 dB
Own Voice Comfort
OVP™ 2.0
No
Phone in Stereo
No
E2E Phone Streaming
Power On Delay
No
Yes
Processing Channels
48
64
Streaming Bass Boost
No
Yes
Sudden Loud Noise Reduction
No
Transient Noise Reduction: Up to 15 dB
Tinnitus Relief
Yes
Multiflex Tinnitus Pro
Unique Amplification Strategy
Advanced Focus Streams3Augmented Focus™Conversation Booster5/5Dynamic Soundscape Processing 3.05/5Speech & Noise Management5/5SpeechStabilizer
  • Consonant Enhancement
  • Voice AI
Wind Noise Reduction
eWindScreen binaural
Wind Reduction: Up to 35 dB