Oticon More vs Starkey Genesis AI

The Oticon More is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.6/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 23% of the 39 prescription hearing aids we've evaluated. Currently available at $4,598, this 2021 release has earned our Expert's Choice Award in both 2023 and 2024. In our testing, the Oticon More demonstrates strong speech clarity performance. Speech in quiet scores 4.0/5, which is 0.65 points above the category average—a meaningful advantage for everyday conversation. Speech in noise measures 2.7/5, which is 0.60 points above the category average, though the absolute score reflects the inherent challenge all hearing aids face in noisy environments. Own-voice comfort is solid at 3.1/5, sitting 0.40 points above average. The device does show one notable weakness: feedback handling scores 3.5/5, which is 1.22 points below the category average of 4.72/5. While this is still a solid score in absolute terms, competing devices in this price range generally perform better in this area. Music streaming is solid at 3.0/5, slightly above the category average. The Oticon More offers flexibility with both rechargeable and disposable battery options, plus streaming compatibility with both iPhone and Android devices including hands-free calling. For those considering alternatives, newer models like the Oticon Intent and Oticon Real score higher in our testing at similar price points. The Oticon More remains a capable choice for listeners who prioritize speech clarity and want a well-established platform with proven performance.

The Starkey Genesis AI is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid released in 2023, priced at $4,798. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.7/5, ranking #33 of 39 prescription hearing aids tested. In our testing, the Genesis AI demonstrated excellent feedback handling, scoring a perfect 5.0/5—0.28 points above the category average. This makes it exceptionally stable during movement and physical activities. Speech in quiet performance is solid at 3.5/5, sitting 0.05 points above the category average. Speech in noise scores 2.3/5, which is 0.21 points above the category average but remains mixed in absolute terms. Own-voice comfort is a weaker area, scoring 2.2/5—0.50 points below the category average. Users sensitive to the sound of their own voice may notice this limitation. Music streaming quality is mixed at 2.8/5, essentially matching the category average with a +0.04 point difference. The Genesis AI shows meaningful improvement with professional tuning, with the normalized score rising from 3.5/5 at initial fit to 4.2/5 when tuned—a 0.8-point gain. The device offers rechargeable batteries and streaming compatibility with both iPhone and Android, plus hands-free functionality. However, at this premium price point, several competitors in the same range deliver notably higher sound performance scores, which prospective buyers should consider when evaluating options.