Widex vs Starkey

Brad Ingrao Dr. Brad Ingrao Audiologist

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While hearing aids all serve a common purpose, different brands offer unique features and functions. If you are in the market for a new hearing aid and are not particularly married to a specific brand yet, it is time to some research so that you can determine which hearing aid is best for your needs and lifestyle. Let’s take a look at how Widex and Starkey products compare.

Comparison Table

Our favorite is Starkey
  Widex Logo Starkey Logo
Bluetooth Capability Yes Yes
Tinnitus Support Help Yes Yes
Customer Service Online videos, local repairs, help in-app Email, phone, online FAQ
Accompanying App Yes Yes
Warranty Yes, only products sold by authorized distribution sales Yes
Free Trial Yes, sign up to start your no-obligation free trial Yes, 30 & 45 day risk-free (professional fees may apply)
Website

Widex vs Starkey: What’s the Difference?

Widex and Starkey both offer stellar hearing aid products, in addition to apps and accessories to help customers get the most of their hearing aids. Widex uses more cutting edge technology, while Starkey stands out with its different groupings of hearing aids depending on features.

Widex is the first hearing aid made with fuel cell technology. This means that their hearing aids do not require power outlets or batteries to operate. You can simply charge up the fuel cells anywhere with the portable refill unit. Best of all, the charging process only takes 20 seconds! After that, you are good to go for 24 hours.

Depending on your individual hearing needs, it is worth considering the different features offered by Starkey. For example, its integrated Advanced Multi-Flex Tinnitus Technology provides relief from the ringing in the ears for those suffering from Tinnitus. Starkey’s Thrive App is enjoyed by many as it allows hearing aid users to control and monitor their devices from their tablet, smartphone, or computer any time. It also is a great way for users to monitor overall health.

Equipment

Widex has a technologically advanced product line relying on various apps that consumers can use to control functions from their smartphones. Additionally, Widex sells accessories enabling users to stream sounds from different phones to the hearing aid. Sounds coming from other sources like TV and radio can also be streamed directly to the hearing aid.

Widex EVOKE™ is the world’s first smart hearing aid which evolves with its users to keep getting smarter. EVOKE™ keeps up with your needs and environment, and automatically makes hearing aid adjustments accordingly. Whether you are listening to pop or classical music, or are indoors or outdoors, you can count on EVOKE™ to adapt seamlessly in the environment you’re in with the Fluid Sound Analyzer and Controller.

Similar to Widex, Starkey is big on utilizing technology to provide customers with better hearing quality. It even offers hearing aids that can monitor your brain and overall body health through the use of the Thrive Hearing app on your smartphone. Starkey is known for catering to a wide variety of clients, and really honing in on each of their needs. The company does this by dividing its hearing aids into separate groupings depending on the features and functions. Groupings include hearing & activity tracking, smartphone compatible, and invisible hearing aids, to name a few. Each of these groups boast different models of hearing aids. Starkey’s hearing aids can either be receiver-in-canal or behind-the-ear depending on preference.

Starkey’s smartphone compatible hearing aids come in the Livio Al, Livio, Halo iQ, and Halo 2 models. Livio Al is the first hearing aid to deliver top-notch sound quality as well as the ability to track brain and body health. The Halo iQ is known for its advanced noise reduction technology and quality microphones to make speech sound more natural and easier to hear. The Halo 2 is designed to work seamlessly with your smart devices like your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, to name a few. All of these hearing aid models are available in the receiver-in-canal and behind-the-ear varieties except for the Halo iQ, which is only made in-canal.

Costs & Pricing

Widex and Starkey do not advertise their prices online. Depending on models and features, hearing aids will vary in price. The best way to find out the cost of a specific hearing aid from either company is to get in touch with a hearing aid professional in your area. Doing so will help you determine which hearing aid brand and model is best for you!

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What We Think

If you are tech-savvy and feel comfortable using your smartphone to appreciate all the functions that Widex has to offer, then you may enjoy their hearing aid models. Widex’s diverse product line of accessories is designed to help make hearing aids more user-friendly while being totally customizable. With so many ways to reach their customer service department, you can be assured you’ll get help when you need it.

Starkey makes it relatively easy for customers to choose the best hearing aid for their lifestyles by dividing its hearing aids into separate groupings based on specific hearing needs. Starkey also provides a multitude of ways to reach them in case you need any assistance.

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Written By:
Dr. Brad Ingrao
Audiologist
Read About Our Panel of Experts
As a practicing audiologist since the 1990’s, Brad Ingrao, AuD has fitted thousands of hearing aids to seniors and people of all ages. Brad is the Official Audiologist for the International Committee on Sports for the Deaf and a well-known… Learn More About Dr. Brad Ingrao