Test report: Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R

The Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R in review

Starkey hat mit der Genesis AI-Familie eine beeindruckende, neue Chip-Technologie auf den Markt gebracht. Da diese Technik damit als überholt gilt, nehmen wir eine allgemeine Abwertung vor. Die Einzelbewertungen in den Unterkategorien bleiben erhalten.

Starkey introduces the Evolv AI 1200 RIC R, a model from a price range slightly above the average. It can compensate for moderate, greater, and changing hearing losses. It is a small hearing aid that provides good sound by placing the speaker directly in the ear canal. It is worn behind the ear.

Hearing comfort

First, we looked at the comfort features. The better these are, the easier and more pleasant the listening experience becomes. With this hearing aid, we found very few options for comfort adjustments. The traditional noise suppression reduces uniform, unimportant sounds slightly. In the Evolv AI 1200 RIC R, we are not exactly spoiled, but we can manage well with simple noise suppression. When it comes to wind noise suppression, we deal with a relatively simple wind damper.

Our test discovered an impulse sound suppression. It slightly attenuates sharp, sudden sounds. We are quite far from a 3D sound experience here. Only the adjustable forward focus provides some hearing support in social situations. Although the Evolv AI 1200 RIC R doesn’t have many adjustable equalizer bands, the 12 should suffice for a good listening outcome.

One component in the signal processing of the Evolv AI 1200 RIC R is artificial intelligence. The influence is positive, as many customers find conversations in noisy situations significantly more relaxed.

Rating Hearing comfort: 3,7

Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R:

Operation & connectivity

Almost everyone of us owns a smartphone, so the question arises whether it can also be connected to the new hearing aid. Let us take a look at the connectivity and usability of the Evolv AI 1200 RIC R. First, we discovered a button directly on the hearing aid. This is very practical, as it is the simplest and quickest way to make changes. The volume can be adjusted with it, and different hearing programs can also be activated. If someone prefers not to adjust anything directly at their ear, they can of course also deactivate the button. We do like small remote controls, and we found one for this model. This way, one can discreetly make small changes to the volume or sound.

There has been a trend for some time now to adjust hearing aids louder or quieter using voice commands. The idea is really good, but Starkey has not yet reached that point with this device. Don’t worry, this feature would be nice but is not essential. We are truly excited about the tap control. A quick tap with your fingers on the ear, and the hearing aid switches to another mode. Here, Starkey is significantly ahead of others with its model. In our opinion, the tap control is not only modern but also very convenient.

For better usability, the manufacturer also provides an app for smartphones. The Starkey app for Evolv AI 1200 RIC R is impressive: You can not only change the volume but also really influence the sound and various noise parameters. No headphones are needed here anymore, as it has a wireless option and can transmit sounds directly from the smartphone to the ears – provided the smartphone is equipped with 2.4 GHz LE technology.

Rating Operation & connectivity: 1,5

Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R:

Simplicity & security

Now let's take a look at how the usage is in everyday life. Is the handling easy? Do I get a safe device? We expected a bit more support in hearing situations for the automatic situation recognition. The situations "Quiet" and "Noise" are recognized, but most of the time the background noise is somewhat more complex. Very important for us regarding simplicity is the support during the acclimatization phase. Especially after having heard poorly for years, it can sometimes be difficult to perceive everything at a natural volume. Our test device has an acclimatization manager that helps us with very small volume adjustments throughout the acclimatization phase. After a few weeks or months, we then reach the calculated amplification level.

Simple handling in everyday life definitely includes power supply as well. The Evolv AI 1200 RIC R has a built-in battery and is rechargeable. Since one charge is definitely enough for the whole day, we don't have to worry about the battery dying in the middle of a conversation.

The hearing aid has been rated with an IP68 protection class. This guarantees comprehensive protection against dust ingress. Water also cannot easily harm the hearing aid. This makes it well-equipped for outdoor activities where it can get wet and dirty. However, you should not necessarily go bathing or swimming with the hearing aids. Bath additives or the salt content in seawater can alter the composition and may ultimately cause damage.

Rating Simplicity & security: 1,8

Extras

Sometimes there are additional features in hearing aids that can be quite useful. Let's see how it is with this Starkey device: We were really impressed by the optional tinnitus program. There are quite a few people who are occasionally or frequently plagued by a ringing or buzzing in their ears. The tinnitus program in the Evolv AI 1200 RIC R 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 is overshadowed and is no longer perceived as disturbing.

We find the remote maintenance service quite exciting that can be utilized. If one does not have the opportunity to visit the audiologist, one can contact him via the app, briefly describe their hearing issue, and then receive a data package with a new hearing aid configuration. If it sounds good, one can upload it to their hearing aids.

For health-conscious individuals, there is a little special feature in the Evolv AI 1200 RIC R: health tracking. For example, steps can be counted throughout the day, and one receives feedback on their own physical activity. Sensors in the hearing aid track the individual data, which can then be accessed in the app. When connected with a smartphone, the Evolv AI 1200 RIC R surprises us with a few nice lifestyle functions. It is definitely worth getting thoroughly familiar with the app and utilizing the offered assistance programs.

Rating Extras: 1,0

Conclusion: Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R

With a final grade of 3.27, this model holds its ground in the mid-range. It comes with a decent comfort equipment that is sufficient for typical everyday moments and creates a satisfying listening experience.

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Our Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R review was created on January 3, 2023 and lastly updated on December 3, 2024. The overall rating of 3,27 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 2.5 | »Operation & Connectivity (28% weighting): Rating 4.5 | »Simplicity & Security (17% weighting): Rating 4.5 | »Extras (15% weighting): Rating 5 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..

 

 

 

FAQ

How big is the Evolv AI 1200 RIC R from Starkey?

Since a size in millimeters does not explain how big a hearing aid appears, we have divided the size perception into classes. Class "XXS" is practically invisible, class "M" has the largest appearance. The Evolv AI 1200 RIC R from Starkey is in the size class S. It could therefore be described as medium-sized.

What is the price of the Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R?

The Evolv AI 1200 RIC R from the manufacturer Starkey is currently offered by hearing specialists in Germany in a price range of approximately €2,000.00 to €2,500.00. To assess the price-performance ratio, you should consider the overall test score of 3.3 (satisfactory).

How well does one hear with the Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R?

The Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R receives a rating of 3.7 (sufficient) from us for hearing comfort. The Starkey hearing aid receives the description 'acceptable' (2 out of 5 stars) for its suppression of wind noise. The noise suppression of the device achieves 2 out of 5 stars. 12 frequency bands are adjustable separately in this hearing aid for processing sound patterns (top values of current premium models: 24).

For whom is the Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R suitable?

If your hearing impairment is mild, moderate, or severe, the Starkey Evolv AI 1200 RIC R might be suitable for you. This so-called "fitting range" of the hearing aid is defined by the manufacturer and relates, among other things, to the amplification of the hearing aid. Whether the device is actually suitable for you can only be reasonably assessed by a hearing specialist on-site after a detailed hearing test has been conducted.

 

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