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Starkey Genesis AI — Freehold, NJ
Starkey's AI Platform — Entirely Inside Your Ear
All. New. Everything.
The case for a custom in-the-ear hearing aid has never been stronger. For patients who want the processing power of Starkey's flagship AI platform without any part of the device visible behind the ear — the Genesis AI delivers exactly that, in a device custom-molded to the precise anatomy of the individual patient's ear canal.
Launched in February 2023 and recognized with the MedTech Breakthrough Award for Best New Technology Solution in 2024, the Genesis AI is Starkey's dedicated custom in-the-ear platform. It brings Neuro Sound Technology, motion-based automatic optimization, fall detection, My Starkey app connectivity, and the full suite of Starkey health monitoring features to the patients who have been waiting for invisible hearing — without compromise.
The American Manufacturing Advantage
Starkey is the only major hearing aid manufacturer that is privately owned and headquartered in the United States — founded in Eden Prairie, Minnesota in 1967 and still family-owned today. Every other major hearing aid manufacturer — Oticon, Phonak, Signia, Widex, ReSound — is headquartered and owned in Europe.
For patients who prefer to support American-owned companies, or who value the direct connection between their hearing care and a domestic brand, this distinction is genuine and meaningful. Starkey's American ownership also reflects a distinct corporate culture — one that has consistently reinvested in domestic audiology research, community hearing health programs, and the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which has fitted over 2 million hearing aids for people in need in more than 100 countries.
Custom Form Factors — From Invisible to Full-Shell
The Genesis AI is available across the full range of custom in-the-ear styles — from the smallest device that sits invisibly deep in the ear canal to the largest full-shell that maximizes power, features, and control. The right style depends on the patient's degree of hearing loss, ear canal anatomy, manual dexterity, and feature priorities.
Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) — The smallest Genesis AI option. Sits deep in the second bend of the ear canal, making it entirely invisible from any normal viewing angle. The most discreet hearing aid Starkey makes. Because of its size, it is the most limited in features — smaller physical space means fewer sensors and a smaller battery. Best for patients with mild to moderate hearing loss who prioritize invisibility above all else.
Completely-in-Canal (CIC) — Slightly larger than the IIC, sitting in the first portion of the ear canal with only a small removal handle visible at the canal opening. Nearly invisible in everyday interaction. More space for processing and battery than the IIC while remaining highly discreet.
In-the-Canal (ITC) — Fills the lower portion of the outer ear bowl. Larger and easier to handle than CIC or IIC models, with more room for features including directional microphones. Appropriate for mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
Full-Shell ITE — The largest custom Genesis AI style. Fills the entire outer ear bowl, accommodating the most features, the largest battery, the strongest directional microphone configuration, and the widest fitting range including severe hearing loss. The most dexterous-friendly option due to its larger size.
An important clinical note: Feature availability varies by style. Health monitoring features including fall detection, activity tracking, and respiratory rate monitoring require sufficient physical space for the sensors — these features are available on ITC, half-shell, and full-shell styles but may not be available on the smallest IIC and CIC models. Dr. Haynie will confirm which features are available in the style appropriate for your hearing loss and ear anatomy at the fitting consultation.
Neuro Sound Technology — AI That Fills in the Gaps
At the heart of every Genesis AI device is Neuro Sound Technology — Starkey's AI processing engine that approaches sound differently from conventional amplification. Rather than simply making sounds louder and applying noise reduction, Neuro Sound Technology is designed to address the way hearing loss actually disrupts the auditory signal — identifying the gaps in what the impaired ear is receiving and filling them in based on how a healthy auditory system would process the same sound.
The result is a more natural, complete sound experience than pure amplification provides — one that supports the brain's processing of speech rather than substituting raw volume for clarity. For patients who have previously tried hearing aids and found that speech was louder but not clearer, the Neuro Sound Technology approach addresses a real limitation of conventional amplification.
Motion-Based Optimization — The Signature Series Update
In April 2024, Starkey introduced the Signature Series — an update to the Genesis AI platform that added two features specifically designed to address real-world listening challenges that static automatic processing cannot anticipate.
Motion-based optimization. The Genesis AI Signature devices detect whether the wearer is stationary or moving and automatically adjust the directional microphone configuration accordingly. A seated patient in a quiet restaurant has different directional needs than someone walking through a crowded market or moving through a social event. The motion sensors — the same sensors used for health tracking — inform the microphone system about the wearer's physical activity state and adapt processing to match. This is a genuine improvement in automatic performance that previous custom ITE platforms did not have.
Automated Edge Mode+. On the original Genesis AI, Edge Mode+ required a deliberate tap on the device or an app command to activate. The Signature Series update enables the device to detect particularly challenging listening situations automatically and apply the Edge Mode+ boost without any action from the wearer — making the on-demand AI processing truly hands-free.
Health and Wellness Features
The Genesis AI's health monitoring features represent a meaningful convergence of hearing care and wellness — one that sets Starkey's custom platform apart from any comparable custom ITE offering from other manufacturers.
Fall detection — Available on ITC, half-shell, and full-shell styles. The motion sensors detect the movement signature of a fall and automatically send alerts to pre-selected emergency contacts. For patients in these custom styles, this is the same fall detection system available in the Omega AI — in a device that sits invisibly in the ear canal.
Activity and step tracking — Daily steps, physical activity levels, and goal-setting through the My Starkey app health dashboard.
Language translation — The Genesis AI supports real-time language translation for up to 71 languages through the My Starkey app — a feature that removes a second communication barrier for patients who regularly interact across languages.
Social engagement tracking — Monitoring how much time the wearer spends in active listening and conversation, linked in research to cognitive health outcomes.
My Starkey App and Connectivity
The Genesis AI connects to the My Starkey app for volume control, program switching, health tracking, and Sound Map location-based settings. Bluetooth connectivity allows direct audio streaming from compatible iOS and Android smartphones — phone calls, music, and audio delivered directly to the custom ITE devices.
Hands-free calling is supported on compatible iOS devices. Android users can stream audio but hands-free calling is not available on Android for the Genesis AI platform — a limitation worth noting for Android users who make frequent phone calls.
The My Starkey app also manages the health monitoring dashboard — step tracking, activity goals, social engagement data, and fall detection contact management — all accessible from one interface.
Technology Levels
The Genesis AI is available in four technology levels:
Technology 24 — The premium tier. The most sophisticated Neuro Sound Technology processing, the strongest automatic environment detection, maximum noise reduction capability, and the full feature set available at the style level selected. For patients who encounter demanding listening environments regularly and want the complete Genesis AI processing platform.
Technology 20 — The advanced tier. Strong Neuro Sound Technology performance for improved speech understanding across a range of environments. For patients with moderate to significant listening challenges at a more accessible price point than the 24 tier.
Technology 16 — The standard tier. Core Neuro Sound Technology and automatic processing for reliable everyday performance. For patients whose listening demands are primarily in moderate environments.
Technology 12 — The essential tier. Foundational automatic processing and Neuro Sound Technology at the most accessible price point in the Genesis AI range. For patients whose listening environments are primarily quiet to moderate and who want the Genesis AI custom form factor without the premium tier investment.
Is the Genesis AI Right for You?
The Genesis AI is most suited for adults with mild to severe hearing loss who want Starkey's AI processing entirely inside the ear — with no part of the device visible behind or on the outer ear. Patients who have been avoiding hearing aids because of how behind-the-ear devices look. Patients who want fall detection in a custom device. Patients who value the speed of Starkey's American manufacturing for custom shell production and adjustment turnarounds. Patients who regularly use a language other than English and want translation support built into the same device.
The Genesis AI is not the right choice for patients who want the absolute smallest IIC device with full features — the smallest Genesis AI styles have reduced feature availability due to size constraints. Patients who want the Gen AI Smart Assistant or TeleHear AI exclusive to the Omega AI platform — these features are not available on the Genesis AI. Patients who need the strongest available speech-in-noise AI processing — the Omega AI's DNN 360 at Technology 24 and the dedicated processing of the Phonak Sphere platforms offer stronger speech-in-noise performance for patients whose primary challenge is severe noise difficulty. Patients who are not candidates for custom ITE devices due to ear canal anatomy.
The Fitting — What to Expect at Haynie Audiology
The Genesis AI fitting process involves more steps than a standard behind-the-ear fitting and the timeline is important to understand before choosing this device:
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Comprehensive hearing evaluation — complete audiogram confirming the Genesis AI's fitting range and the appropriate custom style for your degree of hearing loss
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Ear canal examination — confirming the ear canal anatomy is suitable for the custom style being considered
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Ear impression — a quick, comfortable in-office procedure creating a precise mold of the ear canal sent to Starkey's Minnesota manufacturing facility
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Custom manufacturing — typically one to two weeks for domestic Starkey production (faster than the industry average for custom devices)
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Fitting appointment — the finished device is programmed to your audiogram and verified with real ear measurement at the eardrum
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My Starkey app setup — Bluetooth pairing, health monitoring setup, fall detection contacts, and Edge Mode+ configuration
Experience the Starkey Genesis AI in Freehold, NJ
Dr. Alexandra Haynie, Au.D., CCC-A, ABA fits and verifies the full Starkey lineup — including the Omega AI, Genesis AI, G Series AI, and Edge AI — at Haynie Audiology & Hearing Associates at 31 West Main Street in downtown Freehold, serving patients throughout Monmouth County including Manalapan, Marlboro, Howell, Middletown, Hazlet, Red Bank, and Aberdeen.
