The Starkey Edge AI 16 RIC RT in review
Are you curious about this hearing aid from Starkey? Let's see what we have found out. The Edge AI 16 RIC RT has been designed for moderate, severe, and fluctuating hearing losses and is worn behind the ear. It is a slightly visible hearing aid at a rather premium price.
Thanks to the clever placement of the speaker in the ear canal, we get a good, clean sound.
Hearing comfort
In the section on hearing comfort, we look at how a hearing aid manages all the background noise. Comfortable noise management significantly contributes to the user's satisfaction with their hearing aids and encourages regular use. For this Starkey device, the manufacturer provides the customer with comprehensive noise management. The regular noise suppression is tasked with reducing uniform, intrusive background noises. In the Edge AI 16 RIC RT, the noise suppression works somewhat averagely but is slightly adjustable.
There is also a so-called impulse noise filter here. It cushions short and loud sounds a bit. This is a useful function, but we would have liked a bit more depth in the settings. We rate the wind management as mediocre, but it works. The hearing aid receives a significant positive point for its excellent 3D hearing. Flexible, highly adaptive directional microphones allow for various directional characteristics and automatically adjust to the requirements of the respective situation. The more bands the equalizer in the hearing aid has, the more reliably it separates speech from background noise. The sound can also be shaped better. The Edge AI 16 RIC RT has 16 bands, making it one of the more powerful models.
Artificial intelligence is also used in the signal processing of the Edge AI 16 RIC RT. This allows for a much more realistic analysis of the hearing environment, and especially the clarity in noisy surroundings is significantly better.
Rating Hearing comfort: 2,3
Operation & connectivity
Occasionally, you find yourself in situations where it would be good if the hearing aid were set differently. After all, we live in hectic times where the acoustic environment often changes. Most hearing aids have specific options to influence the settings themselves. This is how it looks with the Edge AI 16 RIC RT: A very quick way to adjust the volume is the small button on the device. It is easy to feel, and you can set it louder or quieter in several steps. Additional programs for special hearing situations can also be activated with it. If someone prefers to do without the button, they can simply have it deactivated. A remote control is available for the Edge AI 16 RIC RT. It is quite practical, fits in your pocket, and offers a volume option as well as different hearing programs.
Voice control for devices is widespread in other fields, and now it's available for hearing aids as well. The Edge AI 16 RIC RT can adjust the volume or switch to another hearing program with a short voice command. Touch control requires sensors to be implemented in the hearing aid. Here, that is indeed the case. You can simply tap the outer ear with a few fingers or the palm of your hand to trigger a command. This could be, for example, activating a TV adapter or answering a phone call. Your audiologist will handle the exact configuration with you.
An app on the smartphone is designed to make operation easier, and we have found one for the Edge AI 16 RIC RT as well. In addition to basic functions such as volume and programs, we find a few more buttons for personalization. You no longer need headphones here, since it has a wireless option and can transmit sounds directly from the smartphone to the ears – as long as the smartphone is equipped with 2.4 GHz LE technology.
Rating Operation & connectivity: 1,3
Starkey Edge AI 16 RIC RT:
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Simplicity & security
An important factor for the acceptance of a hearing aid is its practicality in everyday life. This includes, for example, automated functions as well as robustness and user-friendliness. The situational automation of the Edge AI 16 RIC RT includes nearly everything one might experience in daily life. It provides me with the perfect setting at all times, without me having to actively do anything. Especially during varied phases, this is extremely convenient and allows me to almost forget that I have the hearing aid in my ear. The adaptation to the new hearing sensation is supported by a fully automatic acclimatization manager. It adjusts the amplification in barely noticeable steps until my hearing loss is completely compensated. I don’t have to do anything other than regularly wear my hearing aids.
A great relief in everyday life is the integrated rechargeable battery. With this, my Edge AI 16 RIC RT always has enough power for the entire day, and I no longer have to worry that the batteries will suddenly run out in the middle of an event. Even with limited dexterity, a battery system is very helpful since there is no need to insert small button cells.
With IP 68 certification, the hearing aid can withstand all sorts of adverse conditions. Dust cannot penetrate, it can endure longer periods of immersion in water, and it is also protected against contact.
Rating Simplicity & security: 1,0
Extras
We all like goodies, so let's take a final look at the extras that might be hidden in the hearing aid. We really liked the optional tinnitus program. There are quite a few people who are occasionally or frequently plagued by a whistling or ringing in the ear. The tinnitus program in the Edge AI 16 RIC RT is essentially just a sound generator. It aims to produce broadband noises or sounds that gently and pleasantly stimulate all areas of hearing. The tinnitus gets drowned out and is no longer perceived as disturbing.
Starkey keeps up with the times and offers a forward-looking feature with the remote adjustment service. Working individuals with little time can contact their audiologist online and have their hearing aids reprogrammed. Hearing aid users who have a long journey to the specialist store also benefit from this special service.
Sensors in the hearing aid enable functions that provide real added value. This model from Starkey contains such sensors and counts your steps throughout the day, for example. The data can then be viewed in the app. It is quite possible that additional tracking features will be added through subsequent updates. Digital algorithms and suitable apps increasingly allow the integration of lifestyle functions that support your daily life. We are impressed by what hearing aids like this one from Starkey can do today. Be sure to try it out!
Rating Extras: 1,0
Conclusion: Starkey Edge AI 16 RIC RT
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 rating of 1.62. Those who want to do without top-notch technology but still wish for a comfortable hearing experience will find the right choice here.
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Our Starkey Edge AI 16 RIC RT review was created on October 29, 2024 and lastly updated on August 7, 2025. 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 RIC RT from Starkey suitable for me?
The fitting range of this hearing aid is "hearing loss mild, moderate, or severe." A local audiologist can quickly assess whether your hearing impairment falls within this range.
What does the Edge AI 16 RIC RT from Starkey cost?
The rough price range for the Starkey Edge AI 16 RIC RT currently offered in Germany is approximately between €2,500.00 and €3,000.00. It's also important to look at the overall rating: The overall test score in the HörShop test is 1.6 (good). Details are essential for assessing the hearing aid price: The star rating for "noise suppression" in the test shows 3 out of 5 stars.
What size is the Starkey Edge AI 16 RIC RT?
This behind-the-ear hearing aid has been classified into size category S. This means it is medium-sized. You can compare it with other hearing aids in this size category: Hearing Aid Comparison.
How well does one hear with the Starkey Edge AI 16 RIC RT?
The Edge AI 16 RIC RT from 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' rating (3 out of 5 stars) is given for the wind noise suppression of the Edge AI 16 RIC RT. Summarizing the entire "hearing comfort" category results in an overall score of 2.3 (good) in the test.
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