Your views/opinions on the Starkey Omega AI 2400

@Jamesdjs That’s a great price but Costco are not in Ireland. The closest we have to it is “Specsavers” ( they started out doing only glasses and then expanded to also do hearing aids). I was with them previously and was not overly impressed with them.

I know I could probably order from Costco on line but then I would miss out on any after sales service. With my current audiologist, if anything goes wrong, I have the peace of mind of walking ten minutes to his shop and having any issues resolved. In the unlikely event of the aids having to be returned for repair, I will receive a tempory replacement pair.

I suppose it is not just the aids alone that are included in the price but also any follow up services that may be required and the expertise of the audi.

I understand. Buying online from Costco is not a good idea when it comes to hearing aids.

Make sure you check with the Audi as to exactly what they supply with the aids. Warrenty, services etc.

Update:

I have discovered a slight drawback regarding the charger for the Omegas. With the Evolvs, the charger has a space inside the lid for drying capsules where you can both charge and dry them out simultaneously.

No such luxury with the Omega charger. While there is space enough (though not designated) in the charger to put a drying agent, my research tells me that Starkey don’t recommend this practice. I know there are electrical UV driers available but I am reluctant to use these with rechargeable aids.

Now I will have to consider ( if I opt for the Omegas) getting a drying jar. As it takes a good eight hours to thoroughly dry out aids, I will have to juggle drying time with charging time.

Why Starkey could not have left well enough alone, is beyond me. Perhaps there was a genuine technical reason for this but it certainly leads to (unnecessary?) inconvenience.

@Dogday said:

Why Starkey could not have left well enough alone, is beyond me

The Starkey Omega aids are IP68 compliant. They don’t need a dryer. They’re sealed.

If you feel a dryer is still necessary, then there’s the Redux UltraDry & Charge.

Don’t miss out on the benefits of the Starkey Omega’s.

Phonak Sphere i90’s are IP68 certified also. With EasyGuard domes, I’d take a shower with my i90s in and not worry about it.

My thanks to @Elderly , @Samuel-Audio and @Jamesdjs for your imput.

Anyone else care to give their opinions? I thought there might have been more Starkey Omega users on the forum.

An Update:

My trial period with the Omegas expires today and I have an appointment with the audiologist later. While I have a few questions to ask him, I am happy with them and will go ahead and buy them.

Apart from the practical day to day hearing help these aids provide, I also regard purchasing these as “future proofing” .

Thanks again to all, for your input.

@Silke1972 : I did not have any bluetooth issues (I’m on android), but I am sure your audiologist should be able to help. Hope you get it sorted.

I’ve been wearing the Omega AI mRICs for about a month. One of the things I really like is that when I change volume or programs I hear a voice saying “louder” or “softer” or the name of the program rather than just some beeps. I enjoy is being able to use a double tap and the Smart Assistant voice commands to make changes. Contrary to what has been reported, I have found the double tap seems to work fairly reliably. It is not 100%, but on a par with other top rated hearing aids. I also identified some things/limitations that I wasn’t aware of and that I had not heard/seen in any of the reviews. The Omega AI mRICS only have one button on each hearing aid. That single button can be configured to change either the volume or program upon a momentary push. A 3 second push turns off the hearing aid. While most other one-push button hearing aids change volume with a momentary push, change the program with a slightly longer (1-2 sec) push and turn off the hearing aid with a 3-5 sec push, The Omegas only have the two functions. I have mine configured to change the volume with a momentary push. I use a double tap and a voice command to change the program by name. I like the ability to do this rather than working my way through a list of programs. There are two “down-sides” to this however that you should be aware of. 1) the Smart Assistant voice recognition system is far from perfect. It often takes several tries and series of double taps to get it to recognize that I want to change the program and what program I want to change to. And 2) In order for the voice command system to work at all, you have to have your cell phone with you. If your cell phone is not with you, turned off, or if the battery has run out or even if blue tooth is turned off, I have no way to change the program. If I’m going to a concert and leave my phone in the car, I would not be able to change the program in the hearing aid. For me, this is a show stopper. I will be turning the Omega’s back before the end of my 60 day trial period.

@Lour :

Thanks for your input. I have since bought the Omagas and am happy with them. Sorry that these did not work out for you. Everyone has different needs and priorities. I had tap control on my previous Starkey Evolve aids and did not like it as it was not always successful. I actually prefer the one button on the aid as I find it more straight forward, though I seldom use it. Because the My Starkey app is very user friendly and a huge improvement on the previous Starkey Thrive app, I find that I use the app as required. Unless my environment changes drastically, I am inclined to be a " set and forget" person. If the sound environment does change drastically...Edge Mode...generally is enough to rescue me.

Like I said, everyone is different and has different requirements. However, one thing to consider before taking the final definitive decision is to weigh up the pros and cons of how the aids actually help you to hear better versus the physical workings/controlls of the aid.

Best of luck with what you decide to finally get.

Yes, the difference is that you have the RT model that has a rocker switch (two push buttons) so one HA can be set to control volume and the other to control program selection. I have the mRIC which has only one PB on each hearing aid. I did run a check based on what you guys told me and confirmed that even if I iPhone 16 in to Airplane mode, I can select different programs using tap control and voice control (when it does recognize what I say). If Bluetooth is turned off or if I am out of blue tooth range of my iPhone, tap control for program selection doesn't function (Edge control does, but only to go into or out of the BEST Sound edge control setting.)

I too would like to have a set and forget operation. That's precisely why I'm planning on turning the Omegas back and looking at Phonak, Oticon or Resound. They have all released new models that automatically go into their speech in noise settings so I don't have to manually select Edge mode. Also, at least for me, I haven't found Edge mode particularly helpful when there is loud background sound such as a creek flowing or wind rustling through trees. Good inputs. Thanks.