Starkey Edge AI

Starkey Edge AI Hearing Aids

Click here for our informal thoughts on Starkey Edge AI on our Blog

These hearing aids were released late 2024 in the UK private market.

Starkey reports to be the first to bring AI technology to the hearing industry and is improving on it's success with the Genesis AI family. Their new processor is said to present a better experience as patients are reporting to "hear more" of what they want without needing to do more.

The Starkey Edge new processor

Starkey Edge now comes with the G2 Neuro Processor. This neural processing unit (NPP) has Deep Neural

Network (DNN) processing abilities. (A Deep Neural Network is an advanced type of artificial intelligence (AI) that enables a machine to mimick the workings of a human brain and solve complex problems. It enables machines to learn complex patterns and representations from data with great accuracy. DNN feature large data processing capability, adaptive learning, vast number of neurons arrange in multiple hierarchical layers.)

Edge AI reportedly is the hearing industry's only neural processing unit fully built into the processing chip. Thereby making it the most powerful noise management system which is is efficient at maintaining the battery life of 51hrs for the Edge AI RIC RT.

The DNN processing is 30% more accurate at identifying speech in challenging listening environments including where there are multiple speakers.

Bluetooth LE Audio Connectivity is future ready.

The Edge AI uses low energy (LE) Bluetooth Audio. This is compatible with a larger range of devices

with less drop out and increased range. LE Audio will feature Auracast broadcast streaming. A feature means of audio connectivity set to replace the induction coil

in public places in the future. Starkey has also launched a smaller TV Streamer (by 60% ) - StarLink Edge TV Streamer which will also use LE audio to connect to LE Audio-enabled devices.

Sonant Hearing Clinic user has taken a snapshot of Balance exercises as taken from the Starkey App

Balance Exercises as pictured on My Starkey App from Sonant Clinic Hearing Aid User Phone.

Sonant Hearing Clinic user has taken a snapshot of Falls Alert section as taken from the Starkey App

Falls Alert section as pictured on My Starkey App from Sonant Clinic Hearing Aid User Phone.

Sonant Hearing Clinic user has taken a snapshot of Edge Mode+ Programs and Settings control on App as taken from the Starkey App 3

Edge Mode+ Program and My hearing sections as pictured on My Starkey App from Sonant Clinic Hearing Aid User Phone.

Starkey Edge Health and Wellness Features

Starkey reports to be the first to incorporate 3D sensors into it's hearing aids. These sensors enable one to

count steps, track social engagement and includes it's proprietary gyroscope (available in previous families - Genesis, Evolv) used to enable fall detection and alert caregivers.

With Edge AI, the sensors now perform balance assessment exercises that are self-guided.

This helps ensure that the patient already at an increased risk for falls can be pro-actively identified and

managed before an actual fall. Starkey claims to predict up to 95% of patients at risk for falls.

It detects the signature of a fall. Can alert up to 3 contacts. This can give peace of mind to family and care

givers. The falls technology is available across all technology levels. (With earlier families Falls tech was only available on high tech levels.)

The Mobile App

The My Starkey App has been enhanced to make the patient's experience easier. It now works with

Apple AI Watch Support as an extension. Allowing patients to adjust the volume, program and/or Edge mode settings from their wrist.

Forced sign in is not compulsory, although data collection needed for some features on the app may not be available.

Notifications can be set to give alerts, reminders and notices helping one get the most of their aids. (e.g. time to change the Hear-clear filter)

Special tech model modifications

With the 24 level. Edge Mode can be set to stay continually active, with no compromise on battery life.

With other levels 22 and 16, edge mode comes on briefly and disengages when the user leaves the current environment it was activated in.

Summary

1.) Balance Assessment: Edge AI hearing aid now have onboard sensors to provide balance assessments that are self guided. This can identify and help manage users at risk of increased falls.

2. ) It's now Auracast ready because it includes low energy (LE) Audio. In future this is expected to be the main means of connectivity across devices. They have also released a 60% smaller sized TV streamer - StarLink Edge TV streamer.

3.) New faster and efficient processor available within the Edge AI for better processing of speech in challenging environments with no compromise on battery life.

You can call us at Sonant Hearing to arrange a trial for these Starkey Edge AI hearing aids on 01634 479550 or 07922153134

References

https://www.bluetooth.com/auracast/ (accessed 4/1/2025)

https://www.starkey.com/hearing-aids/edge-artificial-intelligence-hearing-aids (accessed 4/1/2025)

Starkey white papers on Edge AI accessed.

https://www.aimasterclass.com/glossary/deep-neural-networks (accessed 4/1/2025)