HearAdvisor's independent lab evaluation of the Starkey Edge AI RIC measures speech clarity, noise performance, and sound quality using standardized acoustic testing. This behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid was assessed in both initial and professionally tuned configurations.
Dr. Steve Taddei, Au.D. — Lab Director & Reviewer
Dr. Abram Bailey, Au.D. — Fact Checker / Editor
The Starkey Edge AI RIC delivers strong speech clarity and standout music streaming for listeners prioritizing audio quality in a premium prescription device.
Top 46% of Prescription Hearing AidThe score card below displays results for speech in quiet, speech in noise, own-voice comfort, feedback control, and music streaming quality. The purple SoundScore graph is the overall result, and the five graphs after it break it into individual measurements for the selected fit. Each curve shows how scores are spread across all tested hearing aids, and the dot and number mark the score for Starkey Edge AI RIC.
Every hearing aid is lab-tested in two states — as it sounds out of the box, and after professional tuning. Switch fits to update the five metric graphs below.
How clearly speech comes through in calm, one-on-one surroundings.
Speech understanding against loud background noise — the toughest everyday test.
How natural your own voice sounds while wearing the aids, without a boomy, plugged-up quality.
Sound quality of music streamed to the hearing aids over Bluetooth.
Resistance to the whistling and squealing caused by acoustic feedback.
Lab Assessment
Quality data starts with quality recordings. HearAdvisor worked with GRAS to build a no-compromise front end so every test is repeatable and reliable.
Amplification Analysis
The amplification graph below shows how closely the Starkey Edge AI RIC matches prescribed gain targets across the frequency range. Insertion gain measurements reveal whether the device delivers appropriate amplification at each pitch for the fitted hearing profile.
Audio Samples
These audio samples were captured using an acoustic manikin fitted with the Starkey Edge AI RIC in our test chamber. A reference recording without hearing aid processing is included below for direct comparison.
How this hearing aid sounds in our lab scenes. Compare it out of the box and after professional tuning.
Scene type: Conversation
164 lab recordings of this product. They demonstrate relative processing in our lab and cannot predict an individual fitting outcome.
Test Documentation
Our lab notes document observations from both initial and tuned fitting sessions with the Starkey Edge AI RIC. Below you will find the specific test configuration and any fitting adjustments recorded during evaluation.
In our initial fit evaluation using a closed dome with medium-power receiver and Starkey's e-STAT 2.0 fitting formula, the Edge AI RIC achieved a normalized Initial Score of 4.2/5. Speech in quiet measured 3.2/5 while speech in noise came in at 1.9/5. Feedback handling was excellent at 5.0/5, and music streaming performed well at 3.9/5. Own-voice comfort scored 2.8/5. These results reflect out-of-box performance before professional optimization.
After professional tuning—maintaining the same closed dome coupling and medium-power receiver with e-STAT 2.0—the normalized Tuned Score improved to 4.7/5, a +0.5 point gain over initial fit. Speech in quiet rose to 4.1/5 and speech in noise improved to 2.6/5. Feedback handling remained excellent at 4.7/5. Music streaming held steady at 3.8/5, and own-voice comfort stayed at 2.8/5. The tuning gains highlight the value of professional fitting for this device.
Initial Fitting | Tuned Fitting | |
|---|---|---|
| Ear Coupling | Closed Dome | Closed Dome |
| Receiver | Medium-power | Medium-power |
| Fitting Formula | e-STAT 2.0 (Manufacturer proprietary targets) | e-STAT 2.0 (Manufacturer proprietary targets) |
| Listening Program | Personal (Automatic) | Personal (Automatic) |
| Volume Setting | Manufacturer defaults | Adjusted to match NAL-NL2 targets at 55, 65, and 75 dB SPL |
| Software Version | Unknown | Unknown |
| Tuning Adjustments | Programmed to N3 audiogram, Feedback calibrated, Patient Experience Level set at "3 Experienced", Other settings at manufacturer defaults | Programmed to N3 audiogram, Feedback calibrated, Patient Experience Level set at "3 Experienced", Other settings at manufacturer defaults |
| Notes | n/a | n/a |
