Launched in the US in late February 2023, the Genesis AI is the latest hearing aid technology from Starkey. Starkey claims that the Genesis AI platform is a game-changer, featuring an all-new processor, sound, design, fitting software, and an enhanced patient experience. As a potential breakthrough in hearing aid technology, the details provided by Starkey are indeed intriguing.
While Starkey makes bold claims about this platform, we’re eager to see if it delivers on its promises. In this article, I take a look at what might set the Starkey Genesis AI apart from other hearing aids, once it’s released to customers in the UK, later this year.
The Starkey Neuro Processor
The processor is the key component of every hearing aid, responsible for processing sounds from the environment. Starkey asserts that their all-new Neuro Processor is the industry’s most advanced, featuring a unique on-board Deep Neural Network (DNN) accelerator engine that mimics the human brain’s cerebral cortex.
This, according to Starkey, allows the hearing aids to learn and adapt to a wide variety of listening situations using advanced machine learning and complex pattern recognition.
Neuro Sound Technology
In simple terms, compression in hearing aids helps to balance the loud and soft sounds in the environment, making it easier for the wearer to hear speech and other important sounds comfortably. Starkey’s Neuro Sound Technology claims to enhance this process, enabling users to hear soft sounds without background noise, distinguish words and speech more intuitively, and significantly reduce their listening effort.
Starkey attributes this improvement to a new patented additive compression system, which, they say, optimises sound perception due to the speed of their new processor.
Genesis AI Design
The design of a hearing aid plays a crucial role in user comfort, satisfaction, and uptake. Starkey’s Genesis AI hearing aid is designed with ergonomics and aesthetics in mind. They suggest that their extensive research has resulted in a sleek and discreet device that provides all-day comfort and superior durability.
Moreover, Genesis AI will be available in a variety of popular styles, including completely-in-canal (CIC), rechargeable in-the-ear (ITE), and receiver-in-canal (RIC), catering to different user preferences.
Colour options on the RIC devices include, White, Tech Black, Graphite Gray, Silver, Chestnut, Caramel, and Beige.
The My Starkey App
To complement their Genesis AI hearing aids, Starkey have developed a new My Starkey app. My Starkey enables their users to adjust their hearing aid settings, stream calls, and even locate lost hearing aids from their smartphone. Furthermore, the app offers additional ‘lifestyle’ features, such as step counting, goal tracking, language translation, reminders, and even fall detection, aimed at making users’ lives easier and more enjoyable.
Our conclusions on the Starkey Genesis AI
Although Starkey’s claims about the Genesis AI platform are impressive, at Alto are eager to see if it lives up to the hype, once it becomes available in the UK later this year.
Watch this space for our detailed hearing aid review, once we’ve had the opportunity to experience the Genesis AI platform for ourselves.