Phonak Audeo R Infinio 90 vs Starkey Genesis AI

The Phonak Audeo R Infinio 90 is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2024, priced at $4,996. In our lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, ranking #18 among 39 prescription hearing aids tested. Speech clarity is a standout strength in our testing. Speech in quiet scored 4.4/5, a strong result that sits 1.01 points above the category average. Speech in noise performance is more mixed at 2.5/5—above the category average by 0.37 points, but only moderate in absolute terms. This pattern suggests the Infinio 90 excels in calmer listening environments while offering incremental benefits in challenging noise. Streaming music quality impressed at 4.0/5, a strong score that lands 1.24 points above category average. Feedback handling scored 4.2/5, which is strong in absolute terms though 0.52 points below the category average. Own-voice comfort was mixed at 2.2/5, falling 0.50 points below average—something to discuss with your hearing care provider if natural voice quality is a priority. The Infinio 90 competes in a crowded premium segment. At this price point, alternatives like the Phonak Sphere Infinio (4.98/5) and Oticon Intent (4.83/5) achieved higher overall scores in our testing. Buyers seeking Phonak's ecosystem and strong speech-in-quiet performance may find the Infinio 90 appealing, though those prioritizing noise performance or own-voice comfort should compare options carefully with their provider.

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.