Intent vs Edge AI Hearing Aids Comparison by Dr. Cliff

The Oticon Intent has been popular since its release in February 2024, and the Starkey Edge AI, released in October 2024, has quickly gained similar acclaim. While both use deep neural network processing, they have key differences that might make one a better choice for you.

I am extremely impressed with both of these hearing aids. As the founder of Applied Hearing Solutions in Phoenix, Arizona, I've had extensive experience with both the Oticon Intent and the Starkey Edge AI hearing aids, and I want to share a detailed comparison to help you determine which might be best for your needs.

Finding a Provider Who Follows Best Practices

Both of these hearing aids are fantastic, but neither will perform well unless fit and programmed by a Hearing Care Professional who follows best practices. These practices include a series of considerations and procedures that maximize your benefit from hearing aids.

Finding providers who follow these practices can be challenging. I recommend visiting HearingUp.com to find a vetted HearingUp network member in your area who's committed to comprehensive Audiologic best practices.

Form Factors and Technology Levels

When choosing a hearing aid, having options that match your lifestyle and hearing needs is crucial. Form factors determine how the device fits on or in your ear, while technology levels affect performance features and price points. The Oticon Intent and Starkey Edge AI offer quite different approaches here, with Oticon focusing on a single streamlined form factor across multiple technology tiers, while Starkey provides a diverse range of wearing options.

Oticon Intent:

• Available in one form factor: rechargeable receiver-in-canal style
• Four technology levels: 1, 2, 3, and 4 (level 1 is premium)

Starkey Edge AI:

• Multiple form factors:
  
  • Rechargeable RICs: mRIC and RIC RT
  • Disposable battery option: RIC 312
  • Custom rechargeable options: full shell, half shell, and in-the-canal
  • Wireless disposable battery custom option
• Three technology levels: 24, 20, and 16 (level 24 is premium)

Each step down in technology removes features and customization options. Oticon's additional technology level might allow for a lower price point, but with fewer features than Starkey's lowest option.

Battery Life and Rechargeability

Battery performance can make or break your hearing aid experience, affecting everything from daily convenience to long-term ownership costs. Modern rechargeable options have revolutionized the hearing aid landscape, freeing users from the hassle of frequent battery changes while providing reliable power throughout the day. Both Oticon and Starkey have invested heavily in this area, though their approaches and performance metrics differ significantly.

Oticon Intent:

• Lithium-ion rechargeable battery with contact charging
• Up to 20 hours of battery life on a two-hour charge
• Two charger options: desktop charger and smart charger with internal power bank

Starkey Edge AI:

• Both rechargeable and non-rechargeable options
• Exceptional battery life:
  
  • mRIC: up to 41 hours on a single charge
  • RIC RT: up to 51 hours
  • Custom models: up to 42 hours
• Two charger options: Starlink Charger 2.0 and premium version with internal power bank

Size and Fit

The Oticon Intent comes in one very small size. The Starkey Edge AI mRIC is comparable in size to the Oticon Intent. Both are discreet behind-the-ear devices that sit comfortably, even with glasses.

One difference I've noticed is that the Oticon Intent doesn't require a retention filament to stay in my ear, while the Starkey Edge AI does.

Durability

Hearing aids are a significant investment that you wear daily in various environments, making durability a top priority for most users. These sophisticated devices need to withstand everything from moisture and dust to accidental drops and daily handling. Manufacturers use IP (Ingress Protection) ratings to indicate water and dust resistance, with higher numbers representing better protection. Both Oticon and Starkey have made remarkable advances in this area, though their protection approaches and ratings differ.

Oticon Intent:

• IP68 rating (highest possible)
• Extensive durability testing
• Excellent reliability record after nearly a year of patient fittings

Starkey Edge AI:

• IP68+ rating, exceeding standard IP68 requirements
• Features Pro 8 Hydro Shield technology with eight protective layers
• Still relatively new to market, so long-term reliability data is limited

Fitting Ranges

Both hearing aids have similar fitting ranges, accommodating mild to profound hearing loss.

Oticon Intent:

• 60dB, 85dB, 100dB, and 105dB receivers

Starkey Edge AI:

• Low, medium, power, and ultra power receivers

Both perform optimally with custom ear molds for moderately severe hearing loss or greater. The 105dB (Oticon) and Ultra Power (Starkey) receivers require custom ear molds.

Programming Precision

When it comes to the precision of programming, both of these hearing aids offer strong customization capabilities, which directly affects how well they can be tailored to your specific hearing loss. The Oticon Intent 1 gives your hearing care professional 24 different adjustment bands to customize the audio to your hearing loss prescription. Of course, as you drop down in technology level, the number of these bands decreases - that's why going with a higher level of technology gives you more customizability. 

The same is true for the Starkey Edge AI, which also provides 24 adjustment bands in their top-tier technology level, dropping to 16 bands in their third-tier option. In my clinical experience, both hearing aids perform well for customization, but if I had to give a slight edge to one, the Oticon Intents seem a bit more precise when matching prescriptive targets during Real Ear Measurement.

Oticon Intent:

• 24 adjustment bands in the premium technology level
• Fewer bands in lower technology levels
• Slightly more precise when matching prescriptive targets in my experience

Starkey Edge AI:

• 24 adjustment bands in the premium level
• Drops to 16 bands in the lowest technology level
• Comparable digital features for wind control, noise reduction, and impulse noise reduction

Sound Processing Technology

Both use deep neural networks that employ AI to distinguish speech from noise.

Oticon Intent:

• Uses deep neural network version 2.0, trained with more sound samples
• Deep learning embedded in the main chip, always active
• Combines with 4D sensor technology
• Up to 11dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement
• Up to 12dB noise reduction in premium technology level

Starkey Edge AI:

• Deep neural network integrated in the main chip
• Requires activation of Edge Mode Plus (via hearing aid, smartphone app, or Apple Watch)
• 10-13dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement depending on listening environment

Performance in Background Noise

According to HEAR Advisor, an independent testing lab:

Oticon Intent:

• Sound grade: A
• Speech-in-noise score: 3.7 (ranks #2 among all tested hearing aids)
• Always uses deep neural network in automatic settings

Starkey Edge AI:

• Sound grade: A
• Speech-in-noise score: 2.6 (not ranked on the leaderboard)
• Deep neural network only active in Edge Mode Plus, which wasn't used in testing

Both hearing aids performed significantly better with Real Ear Measurement, underscoring the importance of best practices.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Both hearing aids support:

• Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast
• ASHA protocol for Android
• Made for iPhone Bluetooth low energy protocol

Neither uses Bluetooth Classic, which limits connectivity with desktop/laptop computers (may require accessories).

My experience: I successfully connected the Oticon Intent to my Samsung Galaxy S23 using LE Audio, but couldn't connect the Starkey Edge AI. Overall, connectivity seems slightly better with Oticon Intent, though both may improve with future firmware updates.

Additional connectivity notes:

• Telecoils: Available in Oticon Intent and in Starkey's RIC RT and RIC 312 models
• Single-sided deafness: Oticon offers Cross PX (different form factor); Starkey offers CROS transmitter for RIC 312 and RIC RT

Audio Streaming Quality

Bluetooth LE Audio improves streaming quality in both, but customization differs:

Oticon Intent:

• Limited customization
• General program settings apply to streaming
• Simple adjustments for high frequencies and bass

Starkey Edge AI:

• More customizable streaming program
• Multiple frequency bands for precise adjustments
• No separate customization for music vs. speech streaming

Accessories

Oticon Intent:

• Connect Clip
• Remote Control
• TV Adapter 3.0
• Phone Adapter 2.0
• EDU Mic
• None currently use LE Audio or Auracast sharing

Starkey Edge AI:

• Starlink Edge TV streamer (uses Auracast for audio sharing)
• Remote Control 2.0
• No remote microphone yet

Smartphone Apps

Oticon Companion App:

• Program switching
• Volume adjustment
• Three-band equalizer (for live speech and streaming)
• Find lost hearing aids
• Remote care sessions
• Apple Watch compatibility
• No custom program creation

Starkey Apps (MyStarkey and HearShare):

• All basic functions of Oticon's app, plus:
• Health data tracking
• Language translation and transcription
• Fall detection
• Hearing aid self-check
• Balance assessment (STUDY protocol)
• Apple Watch compatibility
• Data sharing with designated contacts

The Bottom Line

Both the Oticon Intent and Starkey Edge AI are exceptional hearing aids. Your specific needs will determine which is best for you.

Remember: No matter which you choose, you'll only get the full benefit by working with a hearing care professional who follows comprehensive audiologic best practices.

By identifying your specific requirements and matching them with the right hearing aid, you're setting yourself up for success with your hearing treatment.