Starkey S Series: A review of its features
I’ve been wearing a pair of Starkey’s new S Series hearing aids for about a month now. I have the in-the-canal (ITC) model. On Starkey’s website they list the S Series’ main features. I’ve written a bit below about how each feature is working for me.
PureWave Feedback Eliminator
I have not had a single squeak of feedback. The feedback-elimination program was run when I had the aids fitted and they’ve been perfect since.
Acoustic Scene Analyzer
Speech is definitely clearer and easier to understand with the S Series. Voices are not so deep sounding and are less muffled. I quite often walk along next to a busy road during the day and the noise of the cars passing used to muffle the voices of the people I walk with – the S Series helps a lot to reduce the road noise and keep the focus on the voices.
T²
I’ve written before about this feature, I think it’s a great idea. I don’t have it set up at the moment as I do not have a touch-tone mobile phone. The standard S Series gives your audiologist the ability to switch between T² or volume control via an on-the-shell knob – it is possible to have both the T² and volume-control option together but you need to ask for it before the aids are sent to Starkey for building.
InVision Directionality
The thing that most impresses me about the S Series is that I am can now localise sound much easier – i.e. I now know where voices are coming from! Meetings at work which had more than 4 or 5 people in used to be a nightmare for me because I could hear that someone had spoken and in most cases hear what they said but often I wasn’t able to quickly work out who said it because I didn’t know which direction the voice was coming from. The S Series has really helped to pinpoint voices for me – I’ve really noticed a difference, especially when more than one person is talking at once.
AudioScape
The noise reduction is good. This is really the first time I have used noise reduction so I don’t have anything to compare it against. As I’ve said before, road noise is now reduced but voice clarity remains – it’s easier to hear people when I’m travelling in the car with them. The noise reduction is sometimes noticeable when it changes, it is not a always completely seamless thing – if there’s a noise then it’s loud for a second and then your hear it reduce when the reduction kicks in. Having said that, I don’t find the noticeable reduction a problem and it’s not that often that it occurs.
Wind noise is still a problem for me. Not as bad as it used to be but I still have a problem understanding people in strongish winds.
Intuitive Features
The inbuilt indicators do a good job – most of them feature a voice rather than just a beep. You get someone in your ear telling you that your battery is low. Your audiologist can also program them to tell you when they are due for a service or you are due for a checkup, which is an easy way to remember. As you turn up the volume there’s a beep to let you know that you’ve gone up to the audiologist’s recommended volume setting, a good way to avoid over-amplification. You get a voice telling you which programme you have selected when you switch.
Last but not least the S Series has a self check feature – if you open and close the battery door 3 times the aid will self test and then tell you whether it is working correctly or not.
Automatic Telephone Response
There is a telephone programme that the aids switch to as you put the phone to your ear. I have found that voices are now clearer and a bit easier to hear with the S Series but I do still struggle, but considering the extent of my hearing loss this isn’t surprising.
Music & Television Processing
Can’t say I’ve noticed any major difference when watching TV or listening to music.
Overview
I’ve been really pleased with my S Series, they help me to hear better in a number of different situations. I haven’t tested them on different programmes yet, I always use the default setting – next time I’m at a party or a pub I’ll try out the programmer for that. I really want to try out the T² feature as well. I’m going to write another article about other things I’ve noticed with the S Series but here I wanted to try and give a user’s perspective on whether Starkey’s buzzword feature list make a difference – they do.
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What a helpful article, Steve. I wish everyone who gets a new pair of hearing aids would write an evaluation like that. It would be so helpful. Glad your new aids are working great for you. Cheers!
Sarah
Your review was very, very helpful to me and I have written down questions to ask when I do get my hearing aids. I have been shopping around for them, and I am astounded by the cost! I have gone to three different places that deal with Starkey … two recommended Series E and one recommended Series E. There was a price difference (almost $2K between Series S and E). I need two hearing aids. How can I determine if Series E would “do the trick” for me? Any suggestions?
Please excuse, I meant to say “Two recommended Series S and one recommended Series E.” Sorry!
Gloria,
Are these going to be your first pair of aids? It’s always difficult to know which ones to get because every manufacturer claims that their aid offers the best sound, the best noise reduction, the best, and so on.
Best thing to do, I think, is to list down your requirements. What environments are you most in and what type of background noise will there be – are you often at parties, talking in large groups, or usually at home with just a few people? If you can give your audiologist a list of things you want from your aid then they might be able to guide you based on their customer’s feedback.
At the end of the day, though, all you can really do is take your pick and try them out. If you don’t link them, take them back and try something else. All hearing aids sound a bit different and so no-one else is really going to know what’s best for you. This might be useful: http://www.deafness-and-hearingaids.net/2007/05/25/buying-your-first-hearing-aid/
Thanks Steve. Do they (selling companies) let you try them out and if you don’t like, return them? No one has mentioned this yet (saw 3 different audiologists). And, yes, these will be my first hearing aids. I was told I need one for each ear … yikes!
Gloria,
You should always ask (and be told) about the trial period when buying an aid. If you aren’t offered a trial then walk away. Seriously, you MUST have the trial period – especially as this will be your first pair. Different companies will have different policies on returning aids – some will give you your money back and others will let you choose another but won’t give money back. Make sure you know up front and don’t be scared to use your trial period to it’s fullest to get your new aids programmed so that they suit your needs – what the audiologist/manufacturer thinks is right for you is not always what you want to hear.
Good luck!
Hi, I am just wondering what your level of hearing loss is? I’m finding with the s-series the problems you listed with your old aid. Voices sounding muffled especially, and my own voice being very quiet. I previously had widex completely-in-canal and I didn’t experience these problems. I tried explaining this to the audiologist but I don’t know how, do you remember if there were any type of adjustments made when you got your hearing aids?
Gloria: if you haven’t found out yet, most companies do offer a trial period. I would definitely be upset if that wasn’t an option! So expensive…
Justine,
I have a moderate to severe loss in both ears. I did get my S Series re-programmed – I had the volume boosted across all frequencies a bit as I was finding that getting used to noise reduction was making things just seem too quiet for me.
In my experience the audiologist/manufacturers default settings are a good starting point but some adjustments are often needed.
Out of interest, why did you decide to get a new aid? Something wrong with the Widex? If you have a Wide laying around you could sell it/give it on Hearing Aid Market.
I have had my BTE S-Series 11 hearing aids for about five months and am extremely disappointed in them. Each time I have them adjusted by my audiologist, they work great for a few days. But as time goes by the output level gradually begins to drop. After several weeks it has dropped to the point where the S-Series aids are not much help at all and I have to revert to my old Starkey Destiny aids. This is not a wax buildup problem, because when I install new wax filters it makes no difference in the level and I have to return to my audiologist for another “tuneup”. My audiologist assures me that the output level cannot change with time, but it really does! Although I don’t have a real quantitative way of measuring the output level, one way I have convinced myself of the change is that when I leave the audiologist’s office, I can get them to feedback by just putting my hand near my ears. But after a few weeks it’s difficult to get them to feedback even when I cup them in my hand. Has anyone else had this problem with the Series-S hearing aids?
I have a pair of S Series CIC hearing aids. When on trial the vent was very small , but it was made larger at the request of my audiologist. It needed a bit of careful adjustment to get rid of feedback with the bigger vent , but now the problem has been eliminated. I am very happy with the performance after nearly two months of wearing this set. My hearing seems very natural and I have noticed that in a very echo prone environment I am still able to hear speech well. I love the music mode ! However one problem remains. In a higher noise level environment the adjustment via the phone touch- tone just does not work. The hearing aid just does not hear the beeps. I needed to turn the volume down at the movies the other day, and it just would not work.. In a quiet environment the feature works well, but I have had the program status notification beeps turned off in one ear because it is confusing to hear them in both ears.
@Charles
Have you found out anything more about the problem with your aids going quiet? Might be worth contacting Starkey directly.
@Peter
Thanks for the info. Interesting that you have a problem with the touch-tone control – do you hold the mobile close to your ear when change a setting or do you keep it further away?
@ Steve
I have tried all combinations of mobile positions to get the touch-tones to be detected in a noisy environment , but without success. I have also checked that the mobile has it’s touch tone volume set to maximum. It could well be that this is mobile dependent, and that it works better with other mobile makes, but I can’t verify this.
Another positive report : I attended a choral music performance this weekend, and the S Series behaved very well. There was no need to adjust the volume even when the soloist hit top C ! There was also no hint of distortion. Impressive !
I did it! I purchased my Starkey Series 9 ITC hearing aids (needed one for each ear)… and received them two days ago. Tomorrow will be the BIG test, I am going to a gathering with a group of women. Last time something of this nature happened, the only people I could hear were those sitting right next to me which was the motivating factor to seek treatment. I had recognized that my hearing wasn’t what it used to be but I really found out how bad it had become when I was at this gathering. I am hoping and a-praying that I will hear a lot more now (and after thousands of dollars, I better). As a new user of aids, will it always feel like my ears have plugs in them that get heavier as the day progresses? Does one perhaps ever get used to having them in one’s ears? Sometimes I just want to remove them as they become unusually heavy but then I will be defeating their purpose, won’t I? Incidentally if I would “perhaps” want to return them, I was told there would be a $250 return fee on EACH hearing aid.
@ Gloria .
Congratulations ! As a newbee who has only had hearing aids for a few months, I can only pass the following remarks. Use your audiologist to do adjustments as required. Starkey are very adjustable devices, so make use of this facility. MIne asked me to make notes of what I thought needed adjusting to help with the process. It took three adjustment to get them as I liked , and I plan to go back again in a few months for another tune up. Persevere until they sound right. I also learned that a very small blob of earwax on the hearing aid can have a big effect on the performance. Remember to check them for wax every day. I have ‘completely in canal ‘ hearing aids, and I hardly feel them in my ears. This can be a danger because I have to remember to be careful when getting undressed and going to have a shower. I dread trampling on them or getting them wet – they cost enough ! Getting these hearing aids was the best thing I did this year ! I never realised how my marginal hearing was cutting out bits of the experience of living. Even when eating, the crunchy food has that extra crunch , and I am enjoying hearing the small birds cheeping again ! Mine work well in a crowded environment.
Peter, thanks for your input. I, too, have those that completely in the ear canal and I don’t think anyone would know I had hearing aids unless I told them. I have an appt in a few days with the audiologist and I know I will need some adjustments. First, no matter how I put my aid into my left ear, it is very uncomfortable … in fact, there are times it actually hurts and feels like it is rubbing on something when I open/close my mouth/jaw. I was extremely pleased today at church when I heard the sermon and didn’t have to guess what was being said; however, the soloist’s voice hurt my ears. At the big, big test yesterday (gathering with a group of women) I could hear people many feet away from me initially; however, when I tried to talk with the lady to my right, the noise was deafening and I couldn’t understand her. I had to put my hand over my left ear to drown out the noise. I hope that I can say “mine work well in a crowded environment” … Sometimes things are actually too loud. How long did it take to get your aids working so well for you?
@ Gloria
My hearing aids never felt uncomfortable, so I suspect yours will have to be modified to fit better. I have been told that the brain has to get used to the ears working so well, so in the beginning sounds do seem very loud. Some loud peoples voices hurt me a little until the hearing aids were re-adusted. Apparently they adjust them upwards again gradually as you get used to the better hearing. I did initially have a problem in noisy shopping malls where I could not hear people speaking to me , but this has improved with adjustment. I also found that my wifes’ kitchen timer beeper hurt my ears when it went off if I was close up. I took this beeper to the audioligist to be used for adjustments !!! No problems now. I only had to have adjustments done three times over about two months to get where I am now. I noticed that an electric drilling machine hurt my ears today, but that is an exceptionally loud sound and I never expected perfection. One other thing – I have insured my hearing aids. Check insurance rates – it may be worth your while.
Never would I have thought about insuring my hearing aids … did you do this thru your “home insurance” company? Thanks for the “heads up.” My audiologist said there is a “one time loss covered” (subject to $250/each aid) for (if I recall correctly) three years. What company did you get your aids from? I have Starkey Series 9. I know that the left aid will really have to be redone … maybe remolded … I can’t get it to sit (set) correctly in my ear without problems and poking around to try and move it for comfort. Do you have any problems with using the telephone? I have to keep the receiver about 3 inches away from my head … too loud otherwise. And the singer in church yesterday sounded like a “screecher” but I heard the sermon without a problem (hadn’t heard it for a long time). And this is a REAL bummer …, I now hear all the moans, groans, creaks, noises of my car while I am driving it … I thought it was a real smoothie before (ha, ha).
@ Gloria.
Insurance : I added my HA’s to my normal household insurance policy cover. If , God forbid, I’m in a accident and I lose them, thats one expense I don’t have to worry about. I live in Africa, so the company will not be relevent to you !
Telephone: My S Series special telephone setting switches on automatically when you hold the telephone receiver to your ear. Mine makes a special beep to indicate that it has switched across. They also sell a magnet to put on the telephone receiver if it is not detected properly. I did not need it for the ‘phones I use . It works beautifully on both ears for the headset I use on my computer for Skype. I still need to try it with an ipod, but I would need to have proper headphones, not the earplug type.
Cars: mine also sounds like an old clunker. To think of it, it is !! Other car horns also hurt my ears to start with, but this has been fixed with adjustment. I can also now hear passengers speaking, where before I struggled. I tried another make of HA before Starkey, and they were terrible in the car with overbearing road noise .
I was also told that Starkey, like Microsoft, do software upgrades. As their S Series system evolves, I can get the updates by visiting the audiologist. This is a big selling point as there will be improvements as time goes by. Believe it or not, there is a powerful multi-core computer chip in each hearing aid!
I saw the audiogolist (Au) today and he did another impression for my left ear. I could not use the HA I currently had. It actually hurt and seemed to be rubbing on something everytime I opened my mouth. The AU said it was because I had TMJ … something to do with my jaw … but I don’t have problems with my jar … and he said a dentist usually discovers this. I am by no means a young woman and never have been diagnosed with TMJ. I will be getting a new left HA shortly. The AU spoke to me today about four different programs he could put into my HA. We agreed he wouldn’t do anything now until I get my new left one and work with it. So you are in Africa. I am in the USA, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is about 80 miles north of Chicago. It is getting quite cold now but we have had unseasonably warm weather for our part of the world. That is changing rapidly as we “speak.” How interesting it is to talk with a person from so many miles away. Computing is the GREATEST!
@ Gloria
Do keep us up to date with your progress after the moulding is re-done and the other programs have been installed.
Keep warm in Milwaukee !
I had the “new” HA for my left ear replaced yesterday. Today I called the Audiologist to complain it feels like it is rubbing. He made another appt for me in several days and said it would “probably” mean another impression will have to be made. He claims that my problems stem from the TMJ in my jaw. Yikes. The right now has not c reated any sort of a problem, in fact one night when I only had the right one (left was being reconfigured) I went to bed and then realized I had a hearing aid in my ear. That is how comfortable it is. Not so with the left one. Another chapter is forthcomint next week. BTW, we had a high of 24 degrees today in my home town with an inch of snow last night.
@ Gloria.
They must get the device to fit – good luck ! Third time lucky !
When I got my hearing aids, the audiologist gave me a special jar to keep the hearing aids in at night. It is airtight, and contains a drying pad. By storing the hearing aids in it , any moisture picked up during the day is removed. Apparently moisture is a big reason for hearing aids failing. and even if the weather is dry, there is some moisture in the ear canal.
We have lovely summer weather here. Because we are at altitude, it seldom goes above 80 degrees, which is just hot enough without being uncomfortable. We have a summer Christmas, with a Christmas tree in the house with fake snow on it !
Hi! I’m a newbie to the HA world and am looking for something to help my high freq sound loss. I am thinking of the Starkey Series S 11 but am thinking maybe not after reading all your posts. Does anyone suggest something else? I need something small (but not ITE) and powerful.
Thanks.
@ Connie.
I am also a relative newbie of about four months to hearing aids. Before chosing S series CIC I tried Starkey Destiny BTE, and the Oticon BTE. The Starkey Destiny were good – better than the Oticon. There was negligable feedback with the Starkey devices, and the sound was natural. Music confused the Oticon devices. I did notice that when sitting in the movies , with the BTE I could hear the conversation of the people sitting in the row behind me perfectly ! Not that desirable. Also facing a wall with a radio on behind me caused as small problem with feedback. But on careful, analysis the the BTE were fine. I decided to go the S Series CIC route because my hearing loss is moderate and the CIC solution was possible. For me it turned out to be better than BTE. Also please note that good hearing aids do more than just boost the frequencies that are missing. Complex sound processing is involved to get the hearing properly corrected. In my opinion Starkey have got the speech processing formula correct. Another point: the Destiny BTE may be cheaper than the S Series.
Hi Peter! Thanks for the input. It’s quite confusing all the different models. I can hear low tones fine, it’s the higher sounds that I am missing. I’ve come to believe that a CIC is out because they block out most of the sounds and enhance them all, wherein I only need help with the higher sounds. Do you think that the Destiny BTE is better than the S series? I like the way that the S series can be so adaptable, 16 in fact, is the Destiny similar? Thanks again.
@ Connie.
The Starkey S Series CIC hearing aids that I have are ‘vented’ i.e. they have an opening in them from ear canal to the outside ear. This means that the ear is not completely blocked off. This allows the ear to ‘breath’ and it lets some sound through. Starkey are able to do this because of their good feedback cancelation system. I can’t compare the Destiny BTE with the BTE S series directly because I only tried out the Destiny BTE. It is true that the S series is very adaptable, but they were also able to ‘tune’ the Destiny devices for me very well. As per my previous post the S Series took some adjustment before they got it right, but now I perfectly happy . A disadvange of the CIC is that you have to always check for even slight earwax buildup and I think, but am not sure, that the batteries in the BTE were larger and lasted longer. My CIC batteries last me about 5 days at present., which means a battery usage of about 12 per month. If this is an important factor for you, then it is better to get BTE devices with larger batteries. I am presently doing some trials to find the best make of battery. Also, rely on your audiologist to give you advice. Raise these questions with them as they are supposed to be the experts !
I was reading all of these posts and thought I could help a few of you out with some information. I’m a hearing instrument specialist in Myrtle Beach.
Peter–I’m glad you’re doing so well with you CIC’s.
Connie–If your hearing in the low tones is normal, you will most likely be more satisfied with open-fitting S-Series BTE’s. The Destiny line is simply Starkey’s older technology. Although it was groundbreaking at the time of its introduction to the market, the S-Series should be better in every way.
Gloria and Peter–there is a control that your programmer has that limits the loudest sounds you hear, without making everything else quiet. Ask them to lower the “MPO” for you. That’s the maximum power output, and you should never have to worry about loud sounds again. You could even go the extra mile and ask them to re-test you and include a “UCL” test, that would show you what your tolerance for loud sounds is at various frequencies.
I hope that helps.
@ Mark
Many thanks for the informed advice. This is exactly what I needed. When I go back for another adjustment next year, I will mention the MPO setup. I suspect that the infrequent slight distortion I had prior to the last adjustment was corrected by clipping the upper freqency response instead of capping the overall gain- which is what I understand the MPO adjustment does. Perhaps the MPO adjustment will also increase the battery life. I also suspect that because the S series is very new here , my audiologist is still building up experience with the broad range of adjustments that the S series allows. I incidently have a professional electronics qualification, and know enough to appreciate what I don’t know about speech processing !
How nice to see all the input you have all given me. It is definitely good to hear (no pun intended!!!) from those who are using and those who have chosen others and why they have what they have now. Thank you all so much for all the help. I’ll keep you up-to-date on my purchase! Happy Holidays to All!
Kindest regards,
Last post is Dec 23. Any updates from those who have contributed? My Audi is recommending the Series 9 CIC and I have been encouraged by this stream. Thank you.
@ Alf
I am happy with my Starkey S series CIC’s. Just be sure that your audi is qualified to set them up properly, because feedback on other forums has indicated that in some instances people have had bad performance due to incorrect settings. Also, as per my post of Nov 14th ‘However one problem remains. In a higher noise level environment the adjustment via the phone touch- tone just does not work.’ This is still the status. I don’t find it a problem because I seldom switch between programmes and never have to adjust the volume. The local Starkey supplier has neglected to respond to enquiries about this issue. This may be specifically phone related, but ask your audi if he/she knows of the problem. It would be interesting to know if any others have encountered this limitation. Just as a matter of interest , I get on average about 65 hours battery life, and if I use Rayovac batteries I get an extra 10 hours per battery.
Peter, I was advised that some phones do not work. Since there is no published list we’ve decided to order the CIC without the button with expectation that it will work. For sure one thing that will be tested in a couple weeks when the HA comes in. If the phone does not connect, the alternative is another unit with the button. A bit larger but still CIC as I am told. A real good point about choice of practicioner. Ours runs the Audiology department of our ENT who had both my kids (tubes) and recently did successfu adult toncilectomy on my eldest. Thanks for the battery tip. Thanks too for the prompt reply.
Alf, just be aware that they may make an additional charge to convert to a unit with a button,Good luck with your new HA’s. On a daily basis I regret not getting mine earlier ! I look forward to the next adjustment which should improve my hearing even more !
Keep us posted as to your progress !!
Hello everyone. It’s time to replace my 8-year-old Widex ITC. A hearing exam revealed that my “good” ear is now nearly as bad as my “bad” ear, so I will need a pair of aids. I read with interest all your posts, and it seems that nobody has the Starkey aid my audiologist is recommending for me. It’s an S Series Receiver-in-Canal model. Has anybody used this type? I’m very interested in your opinions before I decide to spring for $4,300 for the pair.
Hello and thanks to all for the valuable info. I have had hearing loss (getting worse) for several years. Now I notice I have pronounced and continual ringing (tinnitus) in my ears. Did anyone else start off with hearing loss like this and do hearing aids fix the ringing
Thanks
I had an ‘S’ series CIC put in my right ear this afternoon. My first HA. First few hours are impressive. I have a Verizon smartphone. The ‘T2′ tested OK for volume. A question about headphones. I wear them when going to gym while on the tread mills. With the HA, does anyone have a recommendation for a particular style of headphone I can wear while wearing it?
Alf, I don’t wear my HA’s at the gym. I am afraid of them falling out ! I use ‘over the ear’ headphones at the computer for Skype, and find that the ‘S’ series automatically picks them up as it would a telephone handset. I sometimes have to move them slightly to get both HA’s to detect the headphones. This is a great feature for this application. You might find that the automatic switching to the telephone programme might not be what you want if you want to listen to music.
Just received one Starkey S RIC aid. The audi recommended this aid which agreed with a report I had previously read. One aid was my choice instead of 2 as recommended and will get the second when satisfied. I apparently need adjustments as confirmed in your comments. I struggled with understanding ladies high pitch voices at the theatre this weekend and missed at least 25% of the total performance – not a lot of difference than without the aid. I could hear a man’s soft pitch voice only slightly better in a small meeting this morning than before. I tried all 3 settings in these meetings including church service and was not able to completely resolve. Would I have better results, including adjustments, with a CIC? Preparing for my next appointment.
I am extremely pleased with my Starkey Series 9 in-the-ear-canal HA. (needed for both ears) As dubious/hesitant as I was, I am very happy I purchased them. Now when I am in a group of people (which was my main complaint because I couldn’t hear conversations) I am able to listen and contribute. And as skeptical about my hearing aide consultant,, I am sooooooooo very pleased with him. I can go back, call, etc. (which I have done multiple times), and I never feel as I am bothering him. I also received a little kit with a warranty card that includes the serial numbers, place where they were purchased, date of warranty expiration, etc. Don’t wait if you feel you need better hearing.
Try Costco,s (size 10) HA batteries- they last me 8 days or more, unlike the 5 days I was getting with the other brands.
I am considering Starkey S 9 CIC for my moderate sever hearing loss. I wonder if they would worl well. Has anyone else got these? How much did you pay?
I enjoyed reading all your comments. I got my first pair of HA’s a few weeks ago – Starkey S Series 11 – I only wish that I had done this sooner. The audiologist is great at reprogramming them – trying to find the right amount of masking for the tinnitus. Hearing in groups in great – no more – sorry, I missed that; please repeat; didn’t quite get that etc. etc.
At first I was worried about the comfort and the look – but no one has evened noticed that I am wearing HA’s. And they are sooo very comfortable – just put them in my ears and wore them. The options – for theatre, groups etc. are great and am now working on learning the different programs and getting them properly ajusted.
Definitely recommend the Starkey S series 11 RIC for moderate hearing loss. Only advise would be not to wait – the difference is AMAZING.