I am in the 4th week of phonak infinio sphere I90 trial. Early this year, I tried Starkey Genesis 24 followed by Otican Real. I was going to buy Genesis but decided against its purchase as Starkey would not commit that Genesis was upgradable to LE audio/auracast via future firmware update. This turned out to be a good decision in view of the recent announcement of Starkey Edge AI. I have ordered Edge for a trial, meanwhile let me give you my pros and cons in the context of my hearing loss and ex…
I’ve been thinking a bit about two hearing aids, the Starkey Edge and the Phonak audeo sphere.
Although I haven’t tried any of them yet, I think Starkey has made a much better move forward.
Those from Genesis hearing aids have a chip that was made in fewer nanometers and managed to optimize the consumption to be minimal, even 51 hours of operation.
Phonak, as far as I can see, they kept the same chip that Lumity had, I think the same technology is on the Paradise, only the name changes. And on that chip they added an additional chip that serves to process sound for Sphere. In order for it to function long enough, they put in a bigger battery. Starkey didn’t do that because they already have a chip that can do it at a lower power consumption.
I notice that Starkey is releasing faster new versions of hearing aids compared to Phonak. If you want to keep up with new technologies, then Starkey is a step ahead, I even suspect that next year we will have a new Starkey with new improved AI capabilities, it will be just the same chip but more work will be done on software and optimization.
If I’m not mistaken, I read the comments here, it seems to me that Phonak is more reliable than Starkey because they are not as prone to breakdowns. Deny me, or should we make a survey to find out how often which hearing aids are prone to breakdowns?
Finally, I would like to hear more experiences from those who have tried Starkey and Phonak, both, to tell us more about their impressions, who is better where.
Phonak, as far as I can see, they kept the same chip that Lumity had, I think the same technology is on the Paradise, only the name changes. And on that chip they added an additional chip that serves to process sound for Sphere.
I do not agree. There is another Bluetooth version with much more power, range, there is more RAM, and better processing power. There is also more power efficiency, which we see in the “ordinary” Infinio R + setting, which gives 30% more time on one charge compared to the Lumity line.
The same chips were in Paradise and Lumity lines, maybe with more RAM in Lumities.
However, I agree that Phonak’s and Starkey’s politics are annoying: they do not show more specific characteristics of their devices, such as the technology process in nanometers or the particular processing power in units. There is no information about battery capacity in mAh.
From what I’ve seen Starkey and Phonak are loathe to release any technical information about their chips (process size for instance). If you’ve seen any information on Starkeys that states process size of chips I’d love to see it. Phonak’s ERA chip is definitely new for the Infinios.
If you search the forum you’ll find plenty of comments on the Starkey Edge and Phonak Infinio Sphere. Unsurprisingly views differ greatly. Both are fine aids.
Regarding reliability I’ve seen some surveys of audiologists that showed Phonak with the best reliability, but there’s also contrary opinions out there. Ultimately you need to try the hearing aids yourself. One need not worry that one is not going to get the “Best” hearing aid. Any current modern aid fit by a competent professional should help considerably. Ah, just looked at your loss. I think you’re going to be disappointed by any hearing aid.
Having used the Marvel, I am now trying out the Starkey Edge , mainly because I prefer disposable batteries.
I’m curious—when it comes to Starkey hearing aids, what factors would lead someone to prefer disposable batteries over rechargeable ones, or vice versa?
There seems to be an issue with my test hearing aids (mRIC). It doesn’t sit well in the battery charger, and I have to check whether it’s charging properly. Has anyone else experienced this?
There are two chargers.
Regular and premium.
I did not like the regular one. They could be a pain to get the aids to sit.
I use the premium.
They fit easier.
The rechargeable batteries degrade over time and their replacement is a complicated process. Usually you have to send the aids back to the manufacturer.
They have limited runtime compared to the disposable batteries. Usually around 24 hours, while 312 batteries last for around 60 hours.
If they get discharged suddenly during daytime outdoors, the charging takes 3 hours. While you can swap out the disposable battery in a minute.
If you get lost somewhere in the wild where there are no wall plugs, or there is a prolonged power outage, you can not recharge the discharged battery.
I simply can not think of any pros to the rechargeable batteries. That’s why I own only the disposable versions.
I wore mine for 24 hrs.
I had 40% left in each aid.
I have a charger that can charge three times with no power.
My car has a charging port.
I have a Honda CRV hybrid.
I respect your choice.
The rechargeables work best for me.
I simply can not think of any pros to the rechargeable batteries.
You never run out of batteries. I almost always have some source of power to provide a charge to the charger. Older folks have dexterity issues replacing the little batteries. I’m not there yet, but I can see it. I am in the habit of placing my aids in the charger. They are always in the charger in the morning. No “where did I leave them?” issues.
I don’t have the specifications, but for the size of the chip, I base it on the logical conclusion that they extended the operation of the hearing aid to 51 hours of operation on the Genesis series because they reduced the processor to fewer nanometers. so you can put more transistors on the same board and have a better processing chip. Reducing the size of the chip has one advantage, which is reduced energy consumption. and they also said then that the chip was helped to develop by a guy from Intel.
I concluded that Phonak spere still uses the old technology, they just added something small like a new bluetooth module on the chip. They also extended the operation of the hearing aid only with a larger battery.
Starkey Edge is just a new name after Genesis. So an improved Genesis.
Definitely interesting. I’m surprised that he was so impressed with the noise reduction in all 3 because I think he had open domes. The picture of the Intent definitely looked like open dome. The Edge could be a and I have no idea about the Sphere.
My Starkey Edge Battery Experiences (24-25 November):
24 November:
Left: 24% remaining
Right: 37% remaining
Usage: 15 hours, 29 minutes
Estimated remaining runtime: ~6-8 hours
Total estimated runtime: ~21-23 hours
25 November:
Left: 22% remaining
Right: 33% remaining
Usage: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Estimated remaining runtime: ~5-7 hours
Total estimated runtime: ~22-24 hours
These runtimes are not at all close to the advertised 41 hours for the Starkey mRIC. Curious if others have experienced similar discrepancies or have advice to optimize performance.
Croatia
Poland
Rural New England
