Starkey has also won a number of awards, including a 2022 Manufacturing Leadership Council award for operational excellence and multiple design awards for specific hearing aids. To purchase Starkey hearing aids, you will first need to visit a hearing specialist or audiologist for a prescription. The advantage of buying prescription hearing aids is that the process includes an in-person hearing exam and fitting. “An in-person consultation with a licensed audiologist is recommended because hearing aids are a prescriptive medical device,” says Amy Myers, AuD, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. She adds, “If hearing aids are not programmed to an individual’s hearing prescription, they will be limited in assisting specific hearing needs.” Read our full Starkey hearing aids review to see if this is the right brand of hearing aids for your needs.
2,500 hours researched13 experts consulted30 brands considered96 models considered600 users surveyed
Our experts have spent more than 2,500 hours conducting thorough research on hearing aids. Throughout this process, we did the following:
Deeply researched the hearing device categoryConsulted with audiologists and hearing device expertsMystery shopped 30 brandsSurveyed more than 600 hearing aid usersRead and reviewed the current relevant studiesRead thousands of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot
We chose to review Starkey because it offers a number of advanced features, including hearing aids with tinnitus-masking technology, wireless streaming capabilities, and integrated sensors to track activity and detect falls. We searched through verified customer reviews and evaluated the different Starkey hearing aid models to help you decide if they’re right for you and within your budget.
Large selection of hearing aid stylesRisk-free, 30-day trial and money-back guaranteeRechargeable batteries for some modelsWidely available at hearing centers and private hearing care professionals’ offices around the countryFree online hearing test available
Cons
Only available for purchase through a healthcare professionalFinancing options are available but include a 30 percent APR
RELATED: Rechargeable Hearing Aids: Are They Right for You? ZipHearing is one the largest discount hearing aid providers in the United States, and it can connect you with its network of local hearing care providers, who can help you choose your hearing aids, install them, and provide ongoing care. ZipHearing offers a 45-day, 100 percent money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with your purchase.
Will Insurance Pay for My Hearing Aids?
Most health insurance plans don’t cover hearing aid costs, but a few options could help cover the cost:
Private Health Insurance Certain plans may cover hearing tests or hearing evaluations, or offer complete coverage for hearing aids. Check your individual policy for details.
Flexible Spending Account You can offset your hearing aid costs by using pretax flexible spending funds offered by some employers.Health Savings Account You can use contributions to an HSA for hearing aids and other items not covered by insurance.
Medicare Original Medicare plans do not pay for hearing aids or exams, but certain Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may cover hearing aid costs. Consult your plan for details.Veteran Benefits If you are a U.S. military veteran, you are likely eligible for free premium hearing aids if you qualify for general Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare. To determine your eligibility, visit VA.gov or your local VA clinic or medical center.
Contact your healthcare provider to verify the hearing coverage available to you. RELATED: What Does Medicare Not Cover?
Starkey Ratings
We read customer reviews on trusted third-party review sites BBB and TrustPilot to learn Starkey customers’ opinions about their hearing aids. On Trustpilot, the company has a 3.6 out of 5 rating. On the BBB, Starkey has an A+ rating, but an average customer rating of 1 out of 5 from a single review. Positive Reviews The most common praise for the company focused on how comfortable the hearing aids are to wear, the rechargeable batteries, and ease of use. Negative Reviews Complaints frequently cite issues reaching customer service, having to send in the hearing aids for repairs, trouble connecting the hearing aids through Bluetooth, and the cost. — RADIE A, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM TRUSTPILOT.COM) “The Bluetooth feature is beyond frustrating. I have to be on the phone a lot for my job and the hearing aids constantly disconnect from one ear or the other, causing me to (many times EVERY day) reconnect manually or ‘forget this device’ and re-pair them. Oftentimes, even when they are connected, there is crackling and distortion so that I can’t understand what is being said. I have taken them back to the audiologist, but they can’t determine the problem either.” — CJ, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM TRUSTPILOT.COM) “Better than my last pair, but still not sufficient especially in an auditorium setting with a speaker! Also not always sufficient in a conversational setting. Good with TV.” — JANET W, VERIFIED CUSTOMER REVIEW (TRUSTPILOT.COM) Once our research team made its selections, an audiologist medically reviewed our picks to vet each brand and model. We determined our top picks for the best hearing aids based on the following criteria:
Special featuresUser experienceCostCustomer serviceReputation and credibility
