Starkey launches Genesis AI

Starkey Unveils All-New, Completely Redesigned, Hearing Technology

All-new generation of hearing aids aimed at reducing stigma

February 28, 2023 13:00 ET | Source: Starkey

Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Feb. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Starkey is leading the hearing industry in redefining the future of hearing health, not just with incremental improvements, but with breakthrough benefits. The result is Genesis AI, a new, unprecedented experience for both patients and hearing professionals. Completely reimagined from the inside out, it’s the only hearing technology system to feature an all-new processor, all-new sound, all-new industrial design, all-new fitting software, and all-new patient experience.

“The future of Starkey has been created by pushing the edge of what was possible,” said Starkey President and CEO Brandon Sawalich. “With Genesis AI, we did just that. Proven through patient research and over one million hours in development, Genesis AI is the best sounding, best performing hearing aid available, offering infinite benefits to patients and hearing healthcare professionals alike. From the beginning, we have never wavered from providing exceptional service and groundbreaking innovations, creating Caring Technology™.”

All-New Processor

The all-new Starkey Neuro Processor features the industry’s most advanced processor technology which mimics the function of the central auditory system through a Deep Neural Network (DNN) on-chip accelerator and automatic functions.

  • Smallest processor ever by Starkey, but also the most powerful with 6x more transistors.

  • Speed – the Starkey Neuro Processor operates quickly, efficiently, and quietly and is up to 4x faster than previous processors.

  • Less power, more processing – the processor is more efficient with power while delivering significantly higher processing.

  • Loaded with 5X more computational memory and 10X the amount of non-volatile memory.

All-New Sound

Starkey’s new Neuro Sound Technology provides the best hearing experience for patients in all situations. The additive compression system synthesizes the signals from slow and fast compression systems for optimized perceptual outcomes, like the neural fibers that code different information for the brain.

“By spending countless hours with hearing professionals and patients, researching and analyzing every element of the hearing journey, we relentlessly pursued how to develop and bring the most advanced hearing technology to professionals and patients in a simple and intuitive way,” said Achin Bhowmik, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Engineering at Starkey. “Our all-new, powerful processor was designed to work like the human brain, leveraging the neuroscience of the ear-brain connection and information processing to create better sound quality, pushing energy-efficient artificial intelligence to its limits, analyzing and automatically optimizing sound over 80 million times an hour. Genesis AI’s improved performance levels are unlike anything else in the industry, while doubling the battery life.”

All-New Design

Genesis AI features an all-new sleek, discreet and stylish aesthetic product design that’s durable and comfortable for all-day wear, and which helps break barriers and reduce the stigma of what is hearing care technology today.

  • Genesis AI includes RIC RT, the industry’s longest-lasting RIC rechargeable hearing aid on the market. The battery holds up to 51 hours on a single charge.

  • The new mRIC R has the second longest-lasting RIC rechargeable battery life with up to 41 hours on a single charge.

  • Industry-first custom rechargeable product has the highest custom battery life in the industry with up to 36 hours on a single charge.

All-New Patient Experience

The new My Starkey App gives patients full control over their hearing aids, plus the ability to get helpful tips, track their health, and access intelligent features designed to simplify their lives.

Starkey leads the hearing industry as it relates to incorporating health and wellness features into hearing aids, including being the first to integrate 3D sensors; the first to enable counting steps; the first to track and encourage social engagement; and the first to provide benefits that went beyond just better hearing. Starkey was also the first hearing manufacturer — and still the only — to make hearing aids that can detect falls and send alerts.

Genesis AI’s improved streaming capabilities utilize binaural phone steaming, sharing information to both ears directly and simultaneously. This supports two-way, hands-free calling through compatible Apple and Android devices and makes it easier for patients to enjoy their favorite music with more natural results.

All-New Fitting Software

Starkey’s all-new fitting software, Pro Fit, was architected from the ground up based on input from hearing professionals around the globe. Designed for efficiency, ease of use and a seamless fitting experience — from first fit to fine tuning.

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A deep neural network (DNN) on-chip accelerator?

My head is in a spin!

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I was thinking the same…but no LE Audio…What were they thinking here!

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Wow → new Neuro Platform!!

  • new Chip → Neuro (6x more transistors, 4x faster than previous processors, uses less power, 5x more RAM memory, 10x storage memory)
  • new Fitting Software → Pro Fit
  • Rechargeable Battery life 51 hours for RIC RT model (or 36 hours) on a single charge
  • Detect falls and send alerts
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Hey PVC is the ProFit software available? That would be nice to check out.

I don’t see it yet.

Up until this point Starkey Inspire was used for both Legacy hearing aids and for newer/current hearing aids. But now Starkey Pro Fit will be used for newer/current hearing aids and Starkey Inspire will be for fitting (older than Neuro) Legacy hearing aids.


Is it LE Audio?

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I don’t think so, LE Bluetooth is not the same as LE Audio, are they just calling it something different, what version of bluetooth are they?

Signia is releasing a new model with an all new bluetooth wireless module,I don’t know if it’s LE Audio,so maybe they’ll be the first to offer it.

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Going back to the claims about the DNN on-chip accelerator that mimics the brain audiology, I mean, is this for real? Because if it is - it’s revolutionary. Oticon use DNN to train the algorithms to recognise sound scenes. Phonak use AI in the development of Autosense so if these claims are true by Starkey then it means they are the only HA using AI in an active sense. And if true it seems that it can’t be revolutionary because they are not shouting it from the roof tops. I mean - you would put in a statement like “DNN has given us a benefit of an extra 8db in signal to noise ratio” or something like that. I smell BS or there is only marginal benefit. However - good on them for releasing a whole new architecture and faster chips etc.

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Yep I’m with you on this, the usual marketing department hype/blurb.

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And new software bugs, I am sure. Many people say do not buy the first version but wait until many of the bugs have been fixed.

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Binaural streaming and hands free calling sure sounds like LE Audio to me.

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So modest and understated.

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These functions have been out for years with other hearing aids.
LE Audio I believe is a different animal.

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agreed, in spades. “Deep neural network…”? No. the name is meant to rhyme with Artificial Intelligence. the marketers are trying to pile on to the latest buzz words. And make folks believe in magic; i.e. these aids are like having a new set of biological ears ‘with intelligence’.

The rest jsut sounds like more design upgrades, as we always see.

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My current MFi aids do that without LE Audio.

You don’t always see a new processor.

  • new Chip → Neuro (6x more transistors, 4x faster than previous processors, uses less power, 5x more RAM memory, 10x storage memory)
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Correct, and I think some ASHA HAs do the same, but off the top of my head, I’m not aware of any that use LE to do handsfree calling and binaural streaming to both Apple and Android devices.

ETA: Just doing a quick search, Phonak is the only one I could find that currently offers handsfree calling on both Android and Apple, and that’s through Classic, not LE.

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perhaps I’m being too cynical. Does all that processing help folks hear better? As for streaming and connectivity…I’m good with what I have. I guess I feel that the limits to how much better any of will hear with HA’s lies on our side; that is, if we have nerve degradation or conductive loss, CAN more processing result in a leap forward in how we hear? I actually don’t know, but I doubt it. Wait, perhaps this can give better discrimination of voices in noise and things like that. I admit that my loss isn’t so bad that this is an issue for me, but it certainly is for others. So good on Starkey if that’s the case, and I’ll eat crow, or anyway squab.

No you don’t have to eat crow or anything unsavory. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

But digital hearing aids technology has advanced in the past decade or so. You are not denying that, are you? For me the digital technology advancements (over time) seems undeniable. And, one of the biggest driver for technology advancements is new/better/faster processors.

It take a lot of effort to install a new processor and then write new firmware and new fitting software to take advantage of the extra power/size/memory etc. So we should give credit where credit is due is all I’m saying. Also, the manufacturers don’t release everything in one fell swoop. Other advancements using the new processor are likely planned for the future.

Installing a new processor is much better than dressing up the previous platform in new cases, and then trotting that out as the greatest thing since sliced bread.

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