Elehear Beyond Pro vs Starkey Edge AI RIC

The Elehear Beyond Pro is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.2/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 15% of the OTC category. Priced at $631, this behind-the-ear device has received HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award in both 2024 and 2025. In our testing, the Beyond Pro demonstrates notable strengths in music streaming, scoring 3.8/5—a solid result that sits 1.88 points above the category average. This makes it one of the stronger options for users who prioritize audio entertainment alongside speech clarity. Speech performance is also above average, with speech in quiet scoring 3.3/5 (+0.46 vs category) and speech in noise at 2.5/5 (+1.00 vs category). While the speech-in-noise score is above the category average, it remains mixed in absolute terms at 2.5/5. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5. The primary trade-off is own-voice comfort, which scores 1.2/5—a low result that falls 1.31 points below the category average. Users who are sensitive to how their own voice sounds may find this noticeable. The Beyond Pro is best suited for OTC shoppers who want strong streaming quality and solid speech performance without professional fitting. It competes in a price range that includes higher-scoring options like the Yeasound RIC800 and Sony CRE-E10, so prospective buyers may want to compare based on their priorities. Features include rechargeable batteries, iPhone and Android streaming, and hands-free capability.

The Starkey Edge AI RIC is a premium prescription hearing aid released in 2024, priced at $5,000. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, ranking #18 among 36 prescription hearing aids tested. This behind-the-ear device demonstrates particular strength in speech clarity, scoring 4.1/5 for speech in quiet—0.76 points above the category average. Music streaming is a standout feature at 3.8/5, a solid score that sits 1.16 points above the prescription hearing aid average. Speech in noise performance scores 2.6/5, which is above the category average by 0.69 points but remains mixed in absolute terms, reflecting the inherent challenge of understanding speech in noisy environments. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.7/5, essentially matching the category average. Own-voice comfort scores 2.8/5, slightly above average but mixed overall—a common trade-off in hearing aids optimized for audibility. The device responded well to professional fitting, with the normalized Tuned Score reaching 4.7/5 compared to 4.2/5 at initial fit, a meaningful 0.5-point improvement. The Edge AI RIC earned HearAdvisor's 2024 Expert's Choice Award and offers iPhone and Android streaming with hands-free capability. At its premium price point, buyers should note that several competitors in the same price range achieve higher overall scores, including the Phonak Sphere Infinio (5.0/5) and Oticon Intent (4.85/5). This device may appeal to users who prioritize Starkey's ecosystem, strong speech-in-quiet performance, and above-average music streaming quality.