Starkey Launches Edge AI; Seeks to Dominate AI and Sensor-Driven Hearing Aid Market

A new era is dawning for hearing aids, and Starkey intends to lead it. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) combined with sensor technology will increasingly define the winners and losers in the race to develop the world’s best hearing aids. And, if Starkey Founder Bill Austin’s vision for them comes to pass, hearing aids will continue to add surprising things to their list of features—including responding to your voice commands, helping you monitor and assess facets of your health, while connecting you to the real and digital worlds like never before.

On Wednesday, October 9, in Minneapolis, Starkey launched Edge AI, its latest flagship hearing aid platform. The new hearing aids employ the company’s integrated G2 chip and offer 100 times the Deep Neural Network (DNN) processing capability of Starkey's previous hearing aid, Genesis AI. DNN works like an intelligent system that can be "taught" to recognize and filter sounds. Just as your brain can learn to focus on a voice in a noisy room, the DNN in a hearing aid, combined with motion sensor technology, improves speech clarity while reducing background noise in different sound environments.

The result: Edge AI reportedly provides users with up to 13 dB SNR improvement in noisy environments and 6 dB extra noise reduction in low-level noise environments. Additionally, it incorporates Bluetooth^® Low-Energy (LE) with Auracast, as well as several other new wireless and app features. Tellingly, Starkey also drove home the point that their new AI technology is fast and energy efficient—two features definitely aimed at its primary competitor.

Right now, that competitor is Phonak, the world’s largest hearing aid manufacturer. In August, Phonak introduced its newest flagship hearing aid, Audéo Sphere Infinio, at impressive launches held for the media in New York City and then for providers during an all-day event inside the Las Vegas Sphere. To be clear, Starkey never mentioned Phonak or Sphere by name; however, its messaging was unmistakable: Starkey is planting a flag and staking claim to territory it views as its own: the industry leader in innovative AI and sensor-driven amplification.

As the first company to introduce this combination of technology in hearing aids with Livio AI in 2018, Starkey is going mano-a-mano with Phonak and its Sphere Infinio. Doubtlessly, it will also be punching it out with Oticon Intent, a highly rated hearing aid that also uses DNN and Oticon’s BrainHearing philosophy, as well as with other AI-related innovations that global leaders like ReSound and WSA’s Widex and Signia have in their product development pipelines, as well.

“I'm not worried about what our competition does, and neither should you,” Starkey CEO Brandon Sawalich told a live audience of about 700 hearing care professionals and about 1000 more tuning in online during the opening of Starkey Days and the Edge AI launch event. “I tell the team, ‘Don't lose sleep over the competition; make them lose sleep over you’…In our Race to the Top, we differentiate ourselves through one thing, and that's our technology, our products—the products that we bring to you for your patients. At Starkey, we're a future-forward, privately-held technology company…We are driven and differentiate ourselves through our technology, and being privately held and family-operated is not a bad thing, because we can do things that others can't from the standpoint of focusing on moonshot ideas in technology...

“We change people's lives,” continued Sawalich. “And I can tell you that our success right now—where we're at—is not by accident because [Edge AI] started 7 years ago. This is the outcome of a lot of hard work from many, many people. We have the best engineers. We have the best scientists, audiologists, and customers. So, I can go down the list of the people, the culture, the talent, the mindset of those at Starkey who are on campus and over 5,000 employees now around the world…We're aligned as one team.”

Gaining an Edge in AI

In their presentations and an interview with HearingTracker, Sawalich and company CTO Achin Bhowmik emphasized Edge AI's advanced capabilities compared to previous models and recent competitors:

1. AI evolution in hearing aids: Sawalich highlighted that Edge AI is built on Starkey’s years of AI experience, starting with the launch of the Livio AI hearing aid about 7 years ago. This has allowed the company to refine the technology to the benefit of patients rather than focusing on marketing claims. Starkey now has over 300 patents related to sound quality and noise management in its latest hearing aids, with 85 patent applications since the introduction of Genesis AI in February 2023. He noted that this was a deliberate evolution, not rushed but carefully developed, allowing them to…
2. Leverage one powerful chip to optimize performance: Bhowmik emphasized the engineering advantage Edge AI has in using only one neural processing unit (NPU) fully integrated into a chip that drives all the functions of the hearing aid, including DNN (Phonak uses a separate co-processor for Audéo Sphere Infinio’s DNN processing). Because one chip stores all the information and processes all the sound, he says it’s a faster, more efficient, and elegant system that reduces latency (the lag time or delay between when an audio signal enters a system and when it emerges) and improves sound quality, while reducing potential manufacturing flaws and defects, thus improving reliability.
3. Smaller size, more style options. A side benefit of having one chip is also a compact design, allowing the Edge AI microRIC to be the industry's smallest rechargeable RIC with a sensor. The AI technology can also be employed in most hearing aid styles, including custom hearing aids.
4. AI and battery life: Bhowmik added that many companies struggle to balance AI features with battery efficiency. DNN is power-hungry. According to Bhowmik, Starkey’s solution largely avoids battery life compromises. It delivers state-of-the-art AI-driven sound processing that is 2.7 times more energy-efficient than co-processor technology and yields up to 51 hours of battery life per charge.
5. All-new balance assessment: Starkey has the industry’s only fall alert system, which can notify a loved one in the event of a fall. The company has now developed a validated balance assessment system that Edge AI users can use in the privacy of their own homes to discreetly determine if they are at risk for falls.
6. LE Audio, Auracast, and better audio streaming: With the addition of LE Audio, new levels of connectivity and audio streaming capabilities have been introduced, including Auracast and a Demo Streamer that customizes streamed audio for Edge AI wearers (see below). Additionally, a new Smart Audio Assistant and TV Streamer have been added.

Ultimately,  these product highlights position Edge AI as a groundbreaking product that merges DNN with sophisticated sound processing, optimizing performance without sacrificing size or battery life.

Speech in noise performance

For consumers, Starkey touts Edge AI as an advanced AI-driven hearing aid that provides unexcelled hearing in noise—up to 13 dB SNR in diffuse noise, upping Sphere’s 10 dB SNR. Although both companies are a bit light on the SNR measurement details, this level of speech-in-noise enhancement was unheard of only a year ago and is only surpassed by remote microphone technology, which positions the microphone close to the speaker’s mouth.

Bhowmik compared Edge AI’s new neuroprocessor to Apple's introduction of neural processing units in iPhones, which significantly boosted their computational capabilities and energy efficiency. Starkey's approach similarly integrates a neural processing unit directly into the hearing aid’s processor, unlike the co-processor model used by Phonak, which he contends is less efficient and more power-hungry. The single-chip integration also allows for real-time sound processing without as much latency, preserving the natural richness of sound.

Bhowmik says the DNN Enhanced Sound Manager is nine times faster than previous co-processor architectures and can improve speech detection by up to 30% over Genesis AI in challenging acoustic environments. This advancement allows users to hear more clearly in noisy settings while reducing cognitive load, an essential benefit for individuals with hearing loss who struggle to filter speech from background noise.

In January 2020, Starkey implemented a situational program for better speech in noise called Edge Mode. This program uses DNN when users want greater contrast between speech and noise. Users can either double-tap the hearing aid or implement Edge Mode via the app. With the new Edge AI hearing aids, DNN is always on and it can be implemented automatically depending on the listening environment. Users also have the choice between three modes, including Edge Mode+, that balance the aggressiveness of noise reduction and speech clarity. Once engaged, Edge Mode+ automatically scans and adapts as the wearer changes environments.

Starkey VP of Education and Audiology Michelle Hicks, PhD, presented evidence to support Edge AI’s new fitting software, real patient benefit, performance in noise, and overall benefit. She said Edge AI has now been tested and validated in 11 clinical studies involving 560 participants with 20,000 hours of field wearing time. Among other things, these studies point to the first-fit software being within 4 dB in fitting accuracy, and the new DNN noise reduction system is preferred 3 to 1 over the previous-generation product when listening in noise.

In conversations with Dr. Fabry and Bill Austin, they noted the spatial awareness that people fitted with Edge AI are reporting. They say wearers of the new aids are able to tune into the sounds and voices around them in a more natural manner than with previous-generation hearing aids.

Reliable battery life

Sara Burdak, AuD, Starkey's Chief Audiology Officer and EVP of Product Strategy, presented an overview of Edge AI's styles, battery life, wireless capabilities, as well as new programming options for professionals.

The new Starkey Edge AI hearing aids are available now in the United States in almost all styles, including microRIC R, RIC RT, RIC 312, ITE R, ITC/HS R, and CIC, and in 3 tech tiers (24, 20, and 16). The RIC RT and RIC 312 models are CROS-compatible for people with single-sided deafness.

Tiny hearing aids have small batteries that often limit their capabilities and service life. This makes battery life a big deal. Streaming audio, advanced hearing aid features like DNN, and other factors can cause batteries to drain faster than the device's advertised "average battery life.”

Battery life in rechargeable hearing aids is also important because lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, like those in cell phones, tend to lose about 15% of their capacity each year. That means a hearing aid designed for 12 hours of average use when purchased may give you only 7 hours after 3 years.

While replacing rechargeable batteries is usually possible, most consumers don’t take advantage of these services. According to Starkey VP of Quality and Regulatory Brian Dahl, Edge AI hearing aids are designed for a long battery life of 41 to 51 hours, depending on the style. This gives users assurance that they will have power throughout the day while extending the devices' practical service years without battery replacement.

LE Audio, Auracast, and better streaming capabilities

Edge AI incorporates the latest Bluetooth LE Audio technology, which improves the sound quality of streamed audio, conserves battery life, and also makes the hearing aids Auracast-ready.

Auracast allows people to receive audio streaming from a multitude of sources—TVs in sports bars, arenas, public announcement (PA) systems, airport flight announcements, movie theaters, and worship leaders—directly to audio devices and hearing aids equipped for Auracast. It even allows you to stream and share your own audio, like music or podcasts, to those who wish to listen to it. Although Auracast systems are almost non-existent today, the technology is expected to be installed in over 2.5 million venues by 2030. Starkey was deeply involved in the development of Auracast, and the Bluetooth SIG group recently honored Starkey's Wireless Systems Architect Jeff Solum with its 2024 Working Group Leadership Award.

Dr. Burdak also introduced the new StarLink Edge TV Streamer, which uses LE Audio. The new device is almost 70% smaller than the company’s previous streamer and has a wireless range of 50 feet (15 meters). She said the streamer is intuitive and easy to set up, and can be used by an unlimited number of viewers with LE Audio compatible devices.

Within the app, Starkey has introduced Demo Stream, which allows the provider to stream from a paired phone or the TV Streamer while connected to the Pro-Fit hearing aid fitting software. The provider can then customize the streaming frequency response while actively streaming.

In Pro Fit, three new low-frequency tinnitus sounds have been added to Starkey's Multiflex Tinnitus Pro: Ocean Noise, Pink Noise (less high-frequency energy compared to White Noise), and Red Noise (less high-frequency energy compared to Pink Noise).

Smart Assistant and Apple Watch

Although elements of Starkey’s new Smart Assistant have been present in previous models, Edge AI now features voice controls for changing volume, modes, and programs, as well as instructions on how to use the hearing aids and for troubleshooting. As with previous hearing aids, you can ask questions and get answers from the assistant about the weather forecast, upcoming events, etc. You can also set reminders for meetings, medications, or other calendar events. With the new update, the assistant can pull up videos and demonstration material for extra instruction on the use of the devices or in response to questions about troubleshooting.

Additionally, the My Starkey app is now available for Apple Watch.

Self-guided balance assessment added to fall alerts

Starkey was the first company in the hearing industry to employ inertial measurement sensors that track physical activity and record health and fitness data. The company has also been the first and only company to offer fall detection with its hearing aids since 2018, with the ability to send text message alerts to up to 3 people in the event of a fall. With Edge AI, it has now introduced a discreet fall risk assessment measurement for balance, strength, and gait testing based on the STopping Elderly Accidents Deaths and Injuries (STEADY) protocol.

Stanford University and Starkey collaborated on developing the fall assessment system. According to Starkey Chief Hearing Health Officer David Fabry, PhD, the group is in the process of publishing a peer-reviewed paper in Otology and Neurotology that shows the fall detection screener is about 90% accurate compared to standard in-clinic assessments.

Because research suggests the risk of falls can be tripled even by mild (25 dB) hearing loss, this is an exceptional way for older adults to monitor their vestibular health and seek help for their balance problems if indicated, potentially averting a serious fall.

Are AI and sensor technology becoming prime differentiators in hearing aids?

It’s impossible to say if Starkey Edge AI, Phonak Sphere Infinio, Oticon Intent, or some other hearing aid has the right combination of speech in noise, sound quality, comfort, usability, rechargeability, connectivity, cosmetics, or other factors that make it “the best” hearing aid. Considering all the possible variables (including price), most hearing providers would likely say it still largely depends on the individual user's lifestyle and hearing needs.

However, the top-3 prescription hearing aids that excel in speech in noise, as ranked by HearAdvisor, all have DNN-enabled chips with sensor technology.

When testing is completed at the HearAdvisor lab in Rockford, Ill, it will be interesting to see where Starkey’s new Edge AI platform fits into the rankings. It should be noted that all of the major global hearing aid companies use AI or machine learning to identify sound environments and change the hearing aid programs accordingly, and you should also note that a few tenths of a percent difference in HearAdvisor’s scoring probably doesn’t mean that much (but a half-point or more might).

However, the above clearly suggests that AI and sensor-driven speech separation and noise reduction will continue to be large factors in what Starkey’s Brandon Sawalich calls the “Race to the Top” in hearing aid technology.