Phonak vs. Starkey
Phonak has some of the top solutions for severe to profound hearing loss, while Starkey offers advanced health and safety features.
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Phonak and Starkey have been in the hearing aid business for decades, and they’re two of the best hearing aid providers on the market. Starkey’s product line includes in-the-ear (ITE), behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-canal (ITC) and invisible hearing aids. Phonak offers the same styles of hearing aids, plus extended-wear devices. Each manufacturer has a few signature products and features that set them apart, including Phonak’s excellent tech for loud environments and Starkey’s built-in fall detection.
For this guide, our tech experts compared and evaluated hearing aids from both brands. We also spoke to our resident audiologist, Dr. Ruth Reisman, about her experience with the brands to help readers decide which option is best for them.
Phonak Fast Facts
- One of the Big Six hearing aid providers
- Solutions for mild to profound hearing loss
- Direct streaming for Apple and Android smartphones
- Industry-leading microphone technology for noisy environments
- Offers the industry’s only completely invisible hearing aid
Starkey Fast Facts
- High-tech health and safety features
- The first hearing aid with fall detection
- Solutions for mild to profound hearing loss
- Bluetooth streaming and compatible smartphone apps
Phonak
As one of the world’s largest providers, Phonak is a trusted hearing aid company with a long track record of providing hearing aids to older adults. Phonak’s tech-forward platform, called Marvel,1 offers direct streaming for both Apple (iOS) and select Android devices. We always love seeing hearing aid providers that offer advanced connectivity with most smartphones.
» You Might Like: Best iPhone Hearing Aids
Their long-proven Roger remote microphone technology is now able to connect to Marvel hearing aids without an additional receiver, making it an excellent option for older adults who want to control their hearing aids without an extra device.
Phonak is known for its extensive product lineup, which provides solutions for all levels of hearing loss and lifestyles. That makes Phonak a great starting point for older adults who know they need hearing aids for advanced hearing loss but aren’t sure which style will suit them best.
Testing out Phonak hearing aids
Starkey
Starkey not only has hearing aids with technology for better hearing quality, but their premium products also have features that can monitor your body and brain health through the Thrive app. The brand offers a fall-detection feature with its Evolv AI hearing aids. In the event of a fall, a report is automatically sent to the user’s emergency contacts, who could be family members, caregivers or first responders. It’s one of the best features for older adults who struggle with mobility, especially considering that 1 in 4 adults ages 65 or older report falling each year.2
These health and safety features set Starkey apart from Phonak and most other popular hearing aid providers, including Widex and ReSound. Much like Phonak, Starkey also lets you stream phone calls, music and messages directly from your iOS or Android smartphone to your hearing aids. The hearing aids offer remote programming, so your health-care professional can make minor adjustments without an office visit. We found it to be a great feature for older adults who are homebound or simply prefer the convenience of getting assistance from the comfort of their armchair.
Testing out Starkey hearing aids
Quick Tip: For more detailed information about these providers, head over to our Phonak review and Starkey review.
Comparing Phonak and Starkey Features
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|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth capability | Yes (phone, TV) | Yes (phone, TV) |
| Tinnitus support help | Yes | Yes |
| Customer service | Online FAQ, 1-800 number, online form | Online FAQ, 1-800 number, email |
| Accompanying App | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1-year limited international warranty (inquire about local warranty) | Limited (contact dealer) |
| Website |
See Pricing
Links to Zip Hearing
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See Pricing
Links to Zip Hearing
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Hearing Aid Styles and Additional Equipment
One of Phonak's BTE hearing aid styles
Phonak offers hearing aids that can be worn in the ear and some that are truly invisible. One unique model the company offers is a titanium device, the Virto Paradise Titanium, with 15 times the strength of existing hearing aid shells. Phonak also considers older adults with single-sided hearing loss and makes hearing aids to help those users specifically.
» You Might Like: Best Invisible Hearing Aids
Phonak has a lineup of microphones designed to help users focus on conversations in noisy environments that can stream sound directly to the hearing aids. Starkey uses AI to adapt to changing environments, while Phonak’s directional microphones help the listener dial in on specific voices and reduce background noise simultaneously. In our experience, both providers perform well in loud or complex sound environments, even though the underlying technology works differently.
Did You Know? Between 12 percent and 19 percent of American workers are exposed to excessive occupational noise that can cause or worsen hearing loss.3
Starkey not only has an impressive line of hearing aids that come in a variety of BTE and ITE styles, but also a line of accessories to accompany them. In addition to multiple companion mobile apps, Starkey has accessories such as a TV streamer, a media streamer and a hearing aid remote, along with a simple external remote for those who don’t want to control their devices with a smartphone. It’s ideal for less tech-savvy older adults who prefer to use an old-school flip phone.
» Compare Providers: Widex vs. Starkey
Starkey Hearing Aids Lineup
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Phonak vs. Starkey Pricing
Phonak and Starkey don’t list their prices online. Like most other major hearing aid providers, you’ll need to make an appointment with a hearing professional or audiologist to purchase your devices. You’ll receive a hearing evaluation and fitting at your appointment so the provider can help you find the right hearing aid for your needs and budget. You can generally expect Phonak and Starkey hearing devices to start at $1,000 per ear and go up from there.
» Save More: Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Seniors
If you’re searching for more details on pricing before visiting a hearing professional, read through our guide to purchasing hearing aids.
Phonak and Starkey vs. the Competition
Even after spending dozens of hours researching both providers and speaking to audiologists and their patients, it’s difficult to pick a clear winner between Phonak and Starkey. Each provider offers excellent value for older adults with hearing loss. The choice becomes even harder when you consider all the other trusted brands out there!
Here is a closer look at Phonak and Starkey compared with some of their biggest prescription hearing aid competitors.
| Phonak | Starkey | Widex | ReSound | Oticon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear |
| Best for those who want | Streaming to most mobile devices and better listening in noisy environments | Advanced AI hearing tech and fall detection | Fast-charging options and more advanced tinnitus relief | Remote microphones, MFi hearing aids and custom earmolds | Long-lasting hearing devices that greatly improve voice quality |
| Free trial | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 to 45 days (return fees may apply) | Yes, 40 to 60 days | Yes, 90 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Hearing loss levels | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound |
| CROS available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tinnitus solutions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile apps | 3 apps | 5 apps | 4 apps | 3 apps | 1 app |
| Battery types | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable |
Our Methodology
Dr. Reisman has experience testing and customizing hearing aids from both brands. In this photo, she is verifying Phonak hearing aids for a patient.
How We Researched Phonak and Starkey Hearing Aids
Our resident audiologist, Dr. Ruth Reisman, stays up to date on the latest tech and current offerings from both Phonak and Starkey, because she prescribes hearing aids from both providers nearly every day. We spoke extensively with Dr. Reisman and her patients to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of Phonak and Starkey. We also spent an additional 50 hours researching the providers for ourselves. Here’s what our research process looked like:
- We tried the free hearing tests from Phonak and Starkey. Afterward, we compared the results to in-person evaluations from Dr. Reisman.
- Our tech team researched all the hearing aid models and styles from Phonak and Starkey, focusing on those that offer the most benefit to older adults.
- We tested each provider’s mobile apps to ensure that they were senior-friendly.
- Our tech team contacted the customer-service teams for Phonak and Starkey several times to evaluate their overall quality of care.
The Factors We Used to Compare Phonak and Starkey
Dr. Reisman provided the foundation of our research into Phonak and Starkey because she has prescribed and fitted hearing aids from both brands to hundreds of patients. With her feedback and our hands-on research, we narrowed down the most important factors to help us evaluate and compare the providers.
- Product lineup: More isn’t always better, but having options is best when it comes to hearing aids. We evaluated what models and styles each provider offers and how their offerings could be used by older adults with different levels of hearing loss and unique lifestyles. We also considered the breadth and quality of hearing accessories.
- Hearing technology: Phonak and Starkey are at the head of the pack when it comes to hearing aid technology. That made it more difficult to determine which was best, which is why we asked Dr. Reisman for her professional opinion on how the underlying technology of each provider could address the specific needs of older adults with varying conditions and levels of hearing loss.
- Mobile app: Most advanced hearing aids are controlled via mobile apps. There are physical remotes for people who want them, but we needed to make sure the apps were widely available and easy to use.
- Bluetooth connectivity: Bluetooth is almost a given with modern hearing aids, but some providers offer more Bluetooth-ready devices than others. Some providers also make it easier than others to connect one or more devices to your hearing aids.
- Brand reputation: We value brand reputation, because it indicates consistency, quality and consumer trust. Fortunately, both Phonak and Starkey are revered for their trustworthiness and quality hearing devices.
Why Trust Us?
Our team of tech experts tries the latest gadgets and devices for older adults each year. We’ve logged hundreds of hours testing and reviewing hearing aids from dozens of brands.
In addition to our hands-on research, we work alongside experts with decades of experience prescribing hearing aids and helping older adults with hearing loss. Dr. Reisman has firsthand experience with the brands we discuss, including Phonak and Starkey.
Phonak vs. Starkey: The Bottom Line
Phonak has many types of hearing aids and styles to suit a wide variety of customers, particularly those struggling with severe or profound hearing loss. The company prides itself on offering the world’s only 100 percent invisible hearing aid, which is perfect for older adults who want to improve their listening experience without advertising that they’re wearing a hearing device. Through the Phonak app, users can customize their experience even further. Phonak also stands by its products with an international warranty.
Starkey also has a wide variety of hearing aid products and accessories to make usage more customizable and straightforward. The company offers a limited warranty with all its products. In addition to cutting-edge AI tech that can automatically adapt to new sound environments, some of Starkey’s hearing aid models have built-in fall detection, eliminating the need for a separate fall-detection device.
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Phonak. (2019). Introducing the Phonak Marvel Technology Platform.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Older Adult Falls Data.
National Library of Medicine. (2020). Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus — New Research Developments and Remaining Gaps in Disease Assessment, Treatment and Prevention.
