Lucid Ultra 128 vs Starkey Edge AI RIC

The Lucid Ultra 128 is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid priced at $5,000, earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5 in our lab testing. It ranks #16 of 36 devices in the Prescription Hearing Aid category. Speech performance is a clear strength for the Ultra 128. In our testing, speech in quiet scored a strong 4.3/5, landing 1.03 points above the category average. Speech in noise measured 2.7/5—above the category average by 0.74 points, though mixed in absolute terms. These results suggest the device prioritizes intelligibility in everyday listening situations. The Ultra 128 does show notable weaknesses. Feedback handling scored just 1.7/5, falling 3.01 points below the category average of 4.71/5—a significant gap that prospective buyers should consider. Music streaming measured 2.3/5, slightly below the category average. Own-voice comfort was mixed at 2.9/5, though this sits just above the category norm. The device uses disposable batteries and supports streaming to both iPhone and Android. At this price point, buyers may want to compare against higher-scoring competitors like the Phonak Sphere Infinio (5.0/5) or Oticon Intent (4.85/5). The Lucid Ultra 128 may suit those who prioritize speech clarity in quieter environments and can work with their hearing care provider to manage its feedback limitations.

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.