Test report: Starkey S 2 HdO

The Starkey S 2 HdO in review

Starkey is launching a traditional hearing aid, the S 2 HdO, at the lowest price level. It is a small-sized hearing aid for moderate, severe, and changing hearing losses, and 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 few options for comfort adjustment. The traditional noise suppression ensures that uniform, unimportant sounds are slightly reduced. In the S 2 HdO, we are not exactly spoiled, but we can live well with basic noise suppression. Wind noise can sometimes become an issue outdoors. Therefore, moderate wind noise management is integrated here.

The impulse sound management is relatively simple; it slightly dampens short loud sounds, which is acceptable. We have to forgo spatial hearing with the S 2 HdO, but at least the microphones can be switched to a focus mode. The S 2 HdO has 12 adjustable frequency bands, placing it in the middle range. A good audiologist can certainly extract a reasonable sound from it.

Sometimes we experience hearing aids that successfully process data using artificial intelligence, but this device has not reached that point yet.

Rating Hearing comfort: 4,2

Operation & connectivity

How can you fully exploit the potential of hearing aids in everyday life? We have found out what access options are available with the S 2 HdO. There is a button directly on the hearing aid. This allows you to change the volume or activate additional hearing programs. It can be programmed according to customer preferences. The use is of course optional. If desired, there is a remote control for the hearing aid. This allows you to easily adjust the volume. The handling is not only child’s play, but no one will notice that you are adjusting your hearing aids.

Some hearing aids can already be controlled by voice, but this one from Starkey unfortunately cannot yet. It would be practical if the fingers are not as mobile anymore or if you simply like smart gadgets. If there are sensors in the hearing aid, a tap control could be conceivable, triggering a specific function by tapping your fingers on your ear. However, this option is not available in the S 2 HdO.

In the App Store, we searched in vain for an app for further settings, which we would have preferred differently. In the test, we also tried a small additional tool, a streamer. It connects the hearing aids wirelessly with all kinds of mobile devices. This wireless transmission function was one of the most useful elements in this hearing aid. We were able to make phone calls wonderfully and heard the conversation in both ears. We could also enjoy music while jogging or listen to podcasts during our lunch break in our desired volume without disturbing others.

Rating Operation & connectivity: 3,0

Simplicity & security

Usability is the next aspect we want to focus on. It's about practicality in everyday life and the question of how easy and safe it is to go through life with the hearing aid. When it comes to simplicity in hearing, we do not make compromises. We expect the hearing aid to work fully automatically in the background and not require us to press any buttons constantly. We are somewhat disappointed with the S 2 HdO in this regard. Only the basic situations are recognized automatically. This means that we cannot truly get by without manual controls. Very important to us in terms of simplicity is the support during the acclimatization phase. Especially after having heard poorly for years, it can be difficult to perceive everything at a natural volume. In our test device, there is an acclimatization manager that helps us with very small volume adjustments throughout the adjustment phase. After several weeks or months, we then reach the calculated amplification level.

The S 2 HdO is not rechargeable. It continues to draw its power from disposable size 13 batteries, which need to be changed every few days.

The S 2 is nearly dust and water-resistant and, with its IP 68 classification, is certainly well protected against external influences.

Rating Simplicity & security: 2,8

Extras

Before we come to the end, let's take a look at the extras: We really liked the optional tinnitus program. There are quite a few people who are occasionally or frequently troubled by a ringing or hissing in their ears. The tinnitus program in the S 2 HdO is actually nothing more than a sound generator. It aims to produce broadband noises or sounds that gently and pleasantly stimulate all hearing ranges. The tinnitus is drowned out and is no longer perceived as disturbing.

What about remote maintenance? Such online services save a trip to the specialty store because you can directly contact an acoustics professional via the app. Unfortunately, we did not find anything like that for the S 2 HdO. Too bad, that would have been a great additional tool.

Many hearing aids today still come with some health functions. However, since the S 2 HdO does not have any special sensors for that, we cannot present any particular features here. The functional scope of the S 2 HdO is limited to normal hearing, which is perfectly fine. Additional functions like fall alerts or Siri connections do provide significant added value but are not relevant for good hearing balance.

Rating Extras: 3,3

Conclusion: Starkey S 2 HdO

With a final grade of 3.46, this model holds its ground in the mid-range. It has a quite decent comfort set on board, which is sufficient for typical everyday moments and creates a satisfactory listening experience.

Starkey offers its hearing aids under various names, known as private labels. We shed light on the background.

 

Our Starkey S 2 HdO review was created on July 7, 2023 and lastly updated on August 24, 2023. The overall rating of 3,46 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 2 | »Operation & Connectivity (28% weighting): Rating 3 | »Simplicity & Security (17% weighting): Rating 3.5 | »Extras (15% weighting): Rating 3 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..

 

 

 

FAQ

Wie groß ist das S 2 HdO von Starkey?

Da eine Größe in Millimetern nicht erklärt, wie groß ein Hörgerät wirkt, haben wir die Größenanmutung in Klassen unterteilt. Klasse "XXS" ist praktisch unsichtbar, Klasse "M" hat die größte Anmutung. Das S 2 HdO von Starkey befindet sich in der Größenklasse S. Man könnte es also als bezeichnen.

Wie ist der Preis des Starkey S 2 HdO?

S 2 HdO von Hersteller Starkey wird von Hörakustikern in Deutschland momentan in einem Preisrahmen von ca. zwischen 1,00 € und 700,00 € angeboten. Um die Preis-Leistung zu beurteilen, sollten Sie die Gesamt-Testnote von 3.5 (***) mit ins Auge fassen.

Wie gut hört man mit dem Starkey S 2 HdO?

Starkey S 2 HdO bekommt von uns eine Note für den Hörkomfort von 4,2 (**). Das Starkey-Hörgerät bekommt für seine Unterdrückung von Windgeräuschen das Prädikat . Die Lärmunterdrückung des Gerätes erreicht . 12 Frequenzbänder sind in diesem Hörgerät separat für die Verarbeitung von Tonlagen einstellbar (Top-Werte der aktuellen Spitzenmodelle: 24).

Für wen ist das Starkey S 2 HdO geeignet?

Wenn Ihr Hördefizit ist, könnte das Starkey S 2 HdO für Sie geeignet sein. Dieser sogenannte "Anpassbereich" des Hörgerätes wird vom Hersteller festgelegt und hat unter anderem mit der Verstärkung des Hörgerätes zu tun. Ob das Gerät tatsächlich für Sie geeignet ist, kann nur ein Hörakustiker/in vor Ort bei Ihnen sinnvoll beurteilen, nachdem ein ausführlicher Hörtest durchgeführt wurde.

 

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