Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Starkey Omega AI

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.0/5 in our lab testing, ranking #18 among 65 OTC hearing aids tested. At $249, it offers hearing assistance through Apple's familiar true-wireless earbud design. In our testing, the AirPods Pro 2 demonstrated strong performance in speech clarity during quiet listening situations, scoring 4.2/5—a full 1.38 points above the OTC category average. Music streaming quality is a standout strength at 4.4/5, exceeding the category average by 2.48 points and delivering strong linear fidelity for phone audio. Feedback handling earned a perfect 5.0/5, indicating excellent stability during movement. Speech understanding in noisy environments scored 2.3/5, which is above the category average by 0.77 points but remains mixed in absolute terms—users in challenging acoustic situations may find performance adequate rather than exceptional. Own-voice comfort is a limitation, scoring 1.9/5 and falling 0.61 points below the category average, which may result in noticeable occlusion effects when speaking. The AirPods Pro 2 is best suited for iPhone users seeking a discreet, multipurpose device that combines solid speech clarity in quieter settings with excellent music streaming. Those who prioritize own-voice naturalness or need stronger noise performance may want to explore alternatives.

The Starkey Omega AI is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid released in 2025, currently available at $3,998. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.5/5, placing it at #13 among 39 prescription hearing aids tested. This device demonstrates notable strengths in speech performance. Speech in quiet scored 3.9/5, a solid result that sits 0.54 points above the category average. Speech in noise measured 2.9/5—above the category average by 0.75 points, though only mixed in absolute terms at under 3.0/5. Music streaming quality also performs well at 3.2/5, sitting 0.44 points above average for the category. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.6/5 in absolute terms, though it falls slightly below the category average by 0.12 points. Own-voice comfort scored 2.7/5, matching the category average exactly—a mixed result that some users may find noticeable depending on their sensitivity to occlusion effects. The Omega AI includes modern connectivity features like iPhone and Android streaming, hands-free calling capability, and rechargeable batteries. Buyers in this premium price tier should note that several competitors—including the Phonak Sphere Infinio and Oticon Intent—scored higher in our lab testing. The Starkey Omega AI is best suited for users who prioritize speech clarity in everyday listening situations and value Starkey's feature set and fitting approach.