Oticon vs. Starkey: How Do They Stack Up?

Starkey

Starkey, one of the largest hearing aid companies founded in the U.S., has always been an “envelope pusher” in custom hearing aids. They were the first provider to offer advanced health and safety features like fall detection and activity tracking built into their hearing aids.

Testing out Starkey hearing aids

Oticon

Oticon also has an impressive line of hearing aids and accessories. Their Opn S line is Bluetooth-enabled, which allows direct streaming of phone calls and audio signals. They offer the ConnectClip for those with incompatible mobile devices, which combines a Bluetooth Rebroadcaster and remote directional microphone. Their BrainHearing approach aims to make all sounds audible so the brain can filter them out.

Testing out Oticon hearing aids

Starkey and Oticon Hearing Aids

Oticon and Starkey both offer a full range of hearing aids with styles ranging from invisible in canal (IIC) to behind the ear (BTE), along with a lineup of add-on equipment and features that include products like remote microphones, TV streamers, and smartphone apps.

Starkey Hearing Aids

Oticon’s Opn S system relies on the premise of BrainHearing technology. In my clinical experience, this works very well for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. It offers minimal difficulty in background noise, which affects the majority of first-time hearing aid users.

Starkey’s Livio hearing aids combine “wearable” consumer technology features like activity tracking and fall detection. These are great for active seniors who want to stay at the top of their game and older adults who are more at risk for falls. Family members and caregivers will be alerted if they experience a fall, ensuring that help will be sent immediately.

One of my friend’s Oticon hearing aids

Oticon vs. Starkey Pricing

You’ll need to make an appointment with a local hearing specialist who sells Oticon or Starkey hearing aids to purchase your devices. Because prices vary by several factors, including location, features, device style, and your unique needs, it’s best to talk with your hearing specialist for an accurate quote. Oticon and Starkey don’t currently list their prices online. We’d recommend reading through our senior guide to hearing aids for more information on visiting a hearing specialist and purchasing your devices.

Wrapping Things Up

Starkey has an extensive line of hearing aids that are easy to choose from because it divides them into specific hearing needs. Starkey started and remains in middle America and has grown from a small family business for those who prefer American companies. They are the first to combine a hearing aid with health, safety, and wellness features. If Starkey sounds like the right provider for you, take a look at our hands-on Starkey review for more information.

Oticon, one of the elder statesmen of hearing aids, continues to innovate with their BrainHearing technology. For those just entering the hearing aid space, these provide a convenient, “hands-off” way to get back into the swing of things while providing enough flexibility for audiologists to make adjustments if your hearing or listening needs change. Are you interested in Oticon hearing aids? Our in-depth review of Oticon hearing aids offers even more details on the provider.