Starkey Omega AI: A real-world review…
We asked our friend, tech lover, and experienced hearing aid wearer, Aidan, for his unfiltered view of his new Starkey Omega AI hearing aids, and his honest and unedited thoughts are below…
Starkey Omega AI hearing aids.
I have been using the Livio hearing aids from Starkey for the last few years and have found the whole experience to be life changing to say the least, and I continue to encourage anyone considering it, to look into having their hearing tested.
Some time ago I was asked to try out and review the Genesis AI aids by Duncan Jury from Blackdown Hearing. They were certainly impressive in what they could do, but to cut a long story short, when asked if I preferred them to my old Livio Aids, even if they were free, my answer was surprisingly “no”. I felt that the technology was extraordinary but, if I was mega critical… they needed to have their “corners rubbed off a bit’.
So, as my Livio aids needed replacing due to simple wear and tear, you’ll understand I was a little reluctant to upgrade to Starkey’s latest AI offering; Omega AI
I needn’t have been concerned at all!
I’ve been using the Omega AI aids for some time now, and am very happy to say they are quite simply excellent.
Increased clarity and range are immediately obvious, as is the control through the new app, which incidentally has some interesting features that I’ve only just started to explore. Streaming too is astonishing… listening to music; what can I say apart from throw away your earbuds folks.
But back to aids as hearing aids. Battery life is excellent. One minor gripe is, that it’s worth checking that both aids have engaged properly in the charging unit by waiting for both charging lights to start to flash as now and again one doesn’t. That said, one morning I did discover that one aid had not charged but there was plenty of charge left in it for most of the day and they charge up very rapidly if you need a top up.
Thankfully I have not needed the “find my aids” function, but checked it out and it’s very good, and as an added ‘fun’ touch, when you switch on the function, all the Christmas tree lights come on the aids which can be fun if it’s dark.
Saving the best for last!
Wind noise. “Wow” is all I can say. It was a great innovation in the Genesis AI version but it would take a moment for the aids to adapt to the environment. Omega AI… a whole quantum leap ahead. Wind noise by definition is random and continuously changing so I don’t believe it will ever be perfect, but Omega AI adapts seamlessly and almost instantaneously to the most extreme conditions. Standing on a blustery cliff edge with my partner was often a situation where I would turn the Livio aids off. Now I can stand there and not be overloaded with wind noise, and even hold a conversation.
At this point I’d like to personally thank Duncan Jury from Blackdown for these great aids and for his continued support over the years.
So, simply put; well done Starkey. A brilliant product. My only concern is the name; ‘Omega”. The last letter of Greek alphabet… often used to signify the end or the last! I hope this isn’t Starkey’s last offering…
With thanks to Aidan for his time on the above. If you are curious about what the latest hearing technology could do for you, we would be very happy to talk it through with you.
