GoHearing Ultra vs Starkey Edge AI RIC

The GoHearing Ultra is a budget-priced OTC behind-the-ear hearing aid that earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.1/5 in our lab testing. At $499, it sits in the most affordable tier of OTC devices, though its overall performance ranks 58th out of 65 OTC hearing aids tested. This device shows a distinctive performance profile with notable strengths in specific areas. Feedback handling earned an excellent 5.0/5, scoring 0.46 points above the category average—meaning users are unlikely to experience whistling or squealing during typical use. Music streaming also performed well at 3.6/5, a solid score that sits 1.68 points above the OTC average of 1.92/5, making it a reasonable choice for those who prioritize phone audio streaming. However, the GoHearing Ultra struggles in core speech understanding metrics. Speech in quiet scored just 1.0/5, falling 1.79 points below the category average, while speech in noise also scored 1.0/5, sitting 0.48 points below average. Own-voice comfort measured 1.9/5, which is 0.61 points below the typical OTC device. These low speech scores significantly limit the device's utility for its primary purpose of improving conversation clarity. Consumers seeking better overall value in this price range may want to consider alternatives like the Elehear Beyond (4.36/5) or Apple AirPods Pro 2 (4.06/5), which deliver substantially stronger speech performance. The GoHearing Ultra may suit buyers who prioritize streaming audio and feedback-free wear over speech enhancement, but those seeking meaningful speech benefit should explore higher-performing options.

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.