The Starkey Edge AI 16 ITC R in review
What listening comfort does the Edge AI 16 ITC R offer? How is it operated? Is it worth purchasing? Answers to these questions can be found in our review of this hearing aid from Starkey. First, the basics: It is worn in the ear, and thanks to the comfortable wear area at the entrance of the ear canal, sound can easily travel toward the eardrum. This is important because only in this way can a truly good, broadband sound be produced.
The Edge AI 16 ITC R is a beautiful, discreet hearing aid at a rather premium price that can cover light, moderate, and also strong hearing needs. Read more details:
Hearing comfort
In our test, we typically start with the analysis of comfort features. A comfortable sound is characterized by a mix of speech and background noise that is realistic and as pleasant as possible. Various electronic tools take care of all the noises. With the Edge AI 16 ITC R, the manufacturer provides customers with a comprehensive noise management system. One of the noise tools is noise suppression, which aims to dampen sounds like traffic noise, refrigerator hum, or PC ventilation. Here we are not dealing with the most powerful variant, but in everyday life, the noise suppression should be sufficient.
Impulse noises are identified and reliably cushioned. This is noticeable, for example, with typical kitchen noises, or also with the rustling of paper or the clattering of a keyboard. A decent wind management system helps suppress small turbulence at the hearing aid microphones. For all outdoor enthusiasts, this function is essential. As a person with normal hearing, one typically does not think about spatial hearing. With this hearing aid, we don't have to either. A sophisticated system of directional microphones and binaural wireless networking generates a 3D effect that is very close to natural hearing. The Edge AI 16 ITC R is one of the good hearing aids, at least when it comes to the number of frequency bands. With 16 bands, it is well-equipped for precise adaptation to personal sound preferences.
Artificial intelligence has also made its way into hearing aids, as seen here in the Edge AI 16 ITC R. This provides much more data to identify speech and noise. In our experience, the sound of hearing aids with AI is perceived as particularly precise and realistic.
Rating Hearing comfort: 2,3
Operation & connectivity
Every person has their own hearing needs. It is an advantage if you can personalize your hearing aids beyond the automatic functions. In our test, we discovered the following access options: For those who want to quickly and easily adjust the volume, there is a button on the device. You can also select additional programs for special hearing situations through this. The small remote control, which is available as an option, is very practical. For us, it is one of the most convenient ways to increase or decrease the volume or switch to another hearing program. No one notices it, and there's no need to reach for your ear.
A meaningful addition is the ability to control the Edge AI 16 ITC R with voice commands. This is already familiar from smartphones or car navigation systems, and it can also be very practical in hearing aids. With sensor technology, Starkey is taking an innovative path and opening up entirely new opportunities. For example, there is a tap control for the Edge AI 16 ITC R. Just tap briefly but noticeably with your flat hand or a few fingers on your ear shell. The hearing aid can then perform a specific function, such as switching to a special setting. Your audiologist can configure this according to your preferences.
An app on the smartphone is supposed to simplify operation, and we have also found one for the Edge AI 16 ITC R. In addition to basic functions like volume and programs, we find a few more buttons for personalization. You no longer need headphones here, as it has a wireless option and can transfer sounds directly from the smartphone to your ears – provided the smartphone is equipped with 2.4 GHz LE technology.
Rating Operation & connectivity: 1,3
Starkey Edge AI 16 ITC R:
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Simplicity & security
We continue our test and try out how easy this hearing aid is to handle. After all, it should simplify the everyday life of hearing aid users and not complicate it further. A balanced situational automation is the most important point we look at when it comes to simplicity. After all, no one wants to constantly adjust the hearing aid. The Edge AI 16 ITC R has proven in tests that it accompanies us comfortably and reliably through our hearing routine. With its excellent fully automatic function, this device is a real highlight. The integrated acclimatization manager can be a great help when entering the world of hearing aids. Its task is to gradually increase the volume of the hearing aid in tiny steps until the target volume is reached. This way, you can relax and gradually get used to the new auditory impressions. More information on acclimatization and other hearing aids with this feature can be found here: Acclimatization to hearing aids.
The Edge AI 16 ITC R is rechargeable and no longer requires batteries. This is not only environmentally friendly but also very convenient to handle and frees me from the burden of constantly thinking about battery replacement.
The hearing aid has been rated to IP class 68. This guarantees comprehensive protection against dust ingress. Water cannot easily harm the hearing aid either. Thus, it is well-equipped for outdoor activities where it may get wet and dirty. However, please do not go swimming or bathing with the hearing aids. Bath additives or the salt content in seawater can change the composition and may ultimately cause damage.
Rating Simplicity & security: 1,0
Extras
We complete the test by checking if there are a few extras for you: We were really impressed by the optional tinnitus program. There are quite a few people who occasionally or frequently suffer from a ringing or buzzing in the ears. The tinnitus program in the Edge AI 16 ITC R is essentially just a sound generator. It aims to produce broadband noises or sounds that gently and pleasantly stimulate all hearing areas. The tinnitus is drowned out and no longer perceived as disruptive.
A real added value is the remote maintenance service. For a change in the hearing aid settings, you no longer necessarily have to go to the specialist store, but can directly contact the audiologist through the app. Via a cloud service, you can then load the new data package into the hearing aids. This is exactly what we expect from a modern hearing aid.
Special sensors in the Starkey Edge AI 16 ITC R provide brand new insights into your health status. For example, at the end of the day, you can check how many steps you have taken. You don't even need to have your smartphone with you while on the go. You only need to take a look at the app to read the data. With devices like this from Starkey, our test reports are getting longer, as there are now also intelligent additional features. Various assistants make your life easier and are personalized in the app. While it is not strictly necessary, it is a lot of fun. For this, we give a good rating.
Rating Extras: 1,0
Conclusion: Starkey Edge AI 16 ITC R
In conclusion, it can be said that this device is a true all-rounder, impressing us with its comfort features and achieving a good overall score of 1.62. Those who want to forgo top technology but still wish for a comfortable hearing experience will find what they're looking for here.
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Our Starkey Edge AI 16 ITC R review was created on October 29, 2024 and lastly updated on November 1, 2024. The overall rating of 1,62 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 4 | »Operation & Connectivity (28% weighting): Rating 5 | »Simplicity & Security (17% weighting): Rating 5 | »Extras (15% weighting): Rating 5 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..
FAQ
Is the Edge AI 16 ITC R from Starkey suitable for me?
The fitting range of this hearing aid is "mild, moderate or severe hearing loss." A local hearing care professional can quickly assess whether your hearing deficit falls within this range.
How much does the Edge AI 16 ITC R from Starkey cost?
The rough range in which the Starkey Edge AI 16 ITC R is currently offered in Germany is approximately between €2,500.00 and €3,000.00. In addition to the price, it's important to look at the overall rating: The total test score in the HörShop test is 1.6 (good). Details are also important for contextualizing the price of the hearing aid: The star rating for "noise suppression" in the test shows 3 out of 5 stars.
What size is the Starkey Edge AI 16 ITC R?
This in-ear hearing aid is categorized into size class S. This means it is medium-sized. You can compare it with other hearing aids in this size class: Hearing Aids Comparison.
How well does one hear with the Starkey Edge AI 16 ITC R?
The Edge AI 16 ITC R from the manufacturer Starkey is equipped with 16 separately adjustable equalizer bands (for context: current top devices have 25 bands). The rating for noise suppression for this device achieves 3 out of 5 stars. A 'good' (3 out of 5 stars) rating is given for the wind noise suppression of the Edge AI 16 ITC R. Summarizing the entire area of "hearing comfort," the overall score in the test is 2.3 (good).
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