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Starkey and Oticon are both reputable hearing aid brands. They have both earned their positive standing globally, helping millions of people achieve better hearing and enjoy more natural conversations and interactions with the world around them.
At Happy Ears Hearing Center, we carry both brands and recommend each based on individual needs. Our audiologists will guide you to the right choice, taking your lifestyle and preferences into account.
Learn more about Oticon vs. Starkey hearing aids and how both can benefit different users.
Brand Overview — Starkey
Starkey’s slogan is “excellence without exception.” They value technological innovation and have been integrating the latest in artificial intelligence into their products for several years now. Starkey is known globally as a “premium” hearing aid brand.
With Starkey hearing aids, you enjoy the advantages of both cutting-edge technology and customization. Starkey’s customizable models are primarily in-the-ear (ITE), offering a discreet look without sacrificing high-powered hearing improvements.
Edge AI: Starkey’s Newest and Greatest Hearing Technology
Starkey holds more than 100 AI-related patents in the hearing technology world. They believe in progressing human health using the latest advancements in artificial intelligence.
Edge AI is Starkey’s newest software. It powers their 2024 and 2025 hearing aid models. Edge AI helps users hear better using refined audio processing, soundscape classification, speech enhancement, and background noise reduction.
How does Edge AI make your life better? It uses a new type of neural processing unit to collect, analyze, and transmit data in a matter of milliseconds. This translates to better hearing even in noisy, complex sound environments — all thanks to AI.
Picasso Custom Hearing Aids
Starkey’s Picasso hearing aids are designed to be customized from the start.
This brand embodies versatility, offering a wide range of custom styles:
- In-the-ear (ITE)
- In-the-canal (ITC)
- Behind-the-ear (BTE)
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
- Invisible (IIC)
- Completely-in-canal (CIC)
Each style offers unique advantages, and Starkey leaves it up to you and your audiologist to determine the right fit for your lifestyle. In-the-ear models and other discreet styles bring you better hearing without hassle or too-visible assistive devices.
Customizable Starkey hearing aid styles offer different volume controls, accessories, and levels of hearing amplification. Consult your audiologist to choose the right model for you.
Brand Overview — Oticon
Oticon is committed to removing the limitations associated with hearing loss in today’s world. Through strong leadership and technological developments, this Danish brand has been improving worldwide hearing care for over 100 years.
Research and development are key factors in Oticon’s mission. Oticon hearing aids comparisons show that their cutting-edge tech and proprietary designs have paid off. They help improve the quality of life of people with hearing loss across the globe.
RIC and BTE Styles
Oticon primarily offers receiver-in-canal and behind-the-ear hearing aids. Both styles offer unique advantages, with RIC options offering more discretion and BTE styles providing powerful audio amplification.
This brand has taken existing RIC and BTE designs and improved upon them for decades now. Oticon’s BrainHearing™ technology ensures that you get the information you need to listen closely and easily engage with the world around you.
User-Focused Innovation
Oticon hearing aids adapt to your unique hearing needs. They’re built with powerful technology that can sense when your needs change and adjust your sound input accordingly. The result is a continuous, natural-sounding stream of audio that connects you with the people around you.
Oticon products accommodate a wide range of hearing abilities, from mild to severe hearing loss. They also incorporate tinnitus relief into their software as needed.
Versatile and Effective Oticon Hearing Aid Models
The options seem endless with Oticon’s wide range of hearing products. They offer discreet, nearly-invisible options as well as larger, more powerful hearing aids to amplify sounds and improve your speech.
Some of the best Oticon models include:
- Oticon Real: For powerful adaptive hearing and sound processing
- Oticon Own: Discreet and nearly invisible
- Oticon More: For hands-free communication and streaming
- Oticon CROS Family: For single-sided deafness
- Oticon Zircon: For 360-degree speech and sound
- Oticon Play PX: For pediatric hearing loss
- Oticon Xceed: For severe and profound hearing loss
- Oticon Xceed Play: For severe and profound pediatric hearing loss
Explore these models with your audiologist to find the right one for your hearing needs.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Starkey vs. Oticon
When analyzing Starkey hearing aids comparisons with Oticon’s products, you need all of the information. We’ve broken down each brand into the most important features and categories to help you make an informed decision.
| Feature | Starkey | Oticon |
| Sound Processing Technology |
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| Style Options |
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| Rechargeable Models |
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| Bluetooth and Connectivity |
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| Health and Wellness Features |
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| Natural Sound Experience |
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| Customization |
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Both Starkey and Oticon are high-quality hearing aid brands that have proven their reputation over several decades. Your choice will depend on which features you value most and your degree of hearing loss.
Choosing Between Starkey and Oticon
While both brands offer advantages, you may benefit from one’s features and accessories more than the other’s. Not sure which brand to choose? Consider the key factors involved in your daily hearing experiences.
Degree of Hearing Loss
Oticon’s proprietary hearing technology may benefit those with severe-to-profound hearing loss more by offering more powerful sound amplification. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are typically more powerful, and this style is Oticon’s specialty.
For folks with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, Starkey’s in-the-ear designs offer plenty of sound amplification. Their styles tend to be more discreet, prioritizing low visibility over pure processing power.
Natural Sound Quality
Consider Starkey vs. Oticon sound quality as well. Starkey’s higher-powered options work well, but since they primarily rely on AI sound processing, you might not get the natural sound quality you’re after. Some users find that Starkey’s audio sounds “harsher” or more artificial.
In contrast, Oticon’s sound quality is more natural and allows for convenient conversations and engagement with the world around you. It does more than just amplify sounds; it connects you with all of the noises you need to thrive.
Comfort With Technology and AI Functions
Starkey hearing aids primarily function using AI. They also have a comprehensive app that offers health tracking and safety features. If you’re tech-savvy and comfortable with AI integration, Starkey may be for you.
Oticon also has an app, but the features center on hearing aid controls like volume and sound modes. Their technology is primarily designed to enhance your hearing using advanced, cognition-based processing. If you live a low-tech lifestyle and don’t care for extra health-based features, Oticon is a strong contender.
How an Audiologist Helps You Choose the Right Hearing Aid
Professional support goes a long way in helping you find the right hearing aids. Audiologists can perform hearing examinations and determine which products match your ear shape and level of hearing loss.
In addition, audiologists carry out hearing aid fittings and follow-up appointments. These are both crucial for your hearing health. During follow-ups, you can address any concerns or questions you have and ensure you use all of the beneficial features available to you.
At Happy Ears Hearing Center, we support better long-term hearing outcomes with ongoing professional support. Our expertise helps guide you to the right pair of hearing aids so you can connect and engage with the world.
Schedule Your Starkey or Oticon Consultation Today
Both Starkey and Oticon are excellent hearing aid choices. You can’t go wrong with either. However, your needs as an individual matter, and at Happy Ears Hearing Center, we’re here to help you find the perfect fit.
In our office, you can explore hearing aid models, try demos, and get expert recommendations tailored to your hearing needs.
We have several locations across Arizona:
Book an appointment with one of our audiologists today!
