Starkey Omega AI Plus Hearing Aids

Starkey Omega AI Plus

Quick shared feature highlights

The G4 chip: the foundation

Omega AI Plus hearing aids are built on Starkey’s new G4 Gen AI Neuro Processor. Starkey states that the neural network processing sits directly on the main chip, rather than on a separate one. Starkey also says the G4 processes sound up to 2.7 times faster than a leading competitor’s hearing aid, based on Starkey’s own testing.

Why does speed matter? A hearing aid needs a moment to process sound before passing it to your ear. If that delay is too long, the processed sound and the natural sound reaching your ear can clash, and speech sounds less natural. A faster chip leaves more room for the clever processing without that trade-off.

DNN Dual Compressor: softer speech

This is the feature Starkey is leading with, and it deals with something most people never think about: compression. Hearing loss narrows the gap between “too quiet to hear” and “uncomfortably loud”. Compression squeezes sound into that gap.

Fast compression is good at lifting quick, soft details like the “s” and “t” sounds in speech, but it can make some sounds seem to rise and fall unnaturally. Slow compression sounds steadier but can miss those quick details.

Starkey states that the DNN Dual Compressor uses speech detection to blend the two, using fast compression when speech is present and easing off when it isn’t. In Starkey’s own study of 14 experienced hearing aid wearers, all participants preferred the new system for sound quality.

The same study did not find a significant difference in how many words people understood. In plain terms, the evidence so far points to more comfortable, natural sound rather than better speech understanding.  Worth noting that the DNN Dual Compressor is only available on the Omega AI+ 24 tech level.

DNN 360: now in custom in-ear styles

DNN 360 is Starkey’s AI-based directional system, first introduced in Omega AI. It works out where speech is coming from and focuses on it, while keeping the rest of your surroundings audible when you’re not in conversation.

What’s new is where it’s available, as DNN 360 now comes in its rechargeable custom In-the-Canal (ITC R) and In-the-Ear (ITE R) models, not just the behind-the-ear styles. If you’ve wanted Starkey’s best directional technology but prefer a hearing aid that sits inside your ear, that’s the main reason to look at Omega AI Plus.

DNN 360 needs directional microphones, so it isn’t available on the smallest custom models.  Starkey’s own research also suggests DNN 360 reduces listening effort compared with its previous directional technology.

Edge Mode: is now able to stay on

Edge Mode gives the hearing aids an extra push in difficult places, such as a busy restaurant or a crowded family gathering. On Omega AI, you had to switch it on in the My Starkey app when you needed it. On the Omega AI Plus, Starkey has added the option to keep Edge Mode running all the time in your main programme. On every level, you can still switch it on through the app.

Starkey’s own research also suggests Edge Mode reduces listening effort compared with the standard listening programme, which can make a long day of conversation less tiring.

There's also said to be fewer whistles

Starkey has also redesigned its feedback management, which stops the whistling that can happen when you put a phone to your ear, pull on a hat or chew. Starkey’s previous system was already effective, so this is likely to matter most to your audiologist, giving them more room to set the right amount of amplification in harder-to-fit cases.