Resound Vivia vs Starkey Edge AI

When you’re choosing between ReSound Vivia vs. Starkey Edge AI, you’re not picking between “good” and “better” — you’re picking between two of the smartest hearing aids ever built. Both are packed with cutting-edge AI, crystal-clear sound processing, and future-ready connectivity. But they’re not identical twins. Each takes a different approach to making your world sound sharper, richer, and more effortless.

 

Quick Verdict: Your Two-Minute Hearing Aid Cheat Sheet

Before we zoom into the fine print, here’s the rapid rundown:

• Crystal-Clear Speech in Noise: ReSound Vivia nails it with Intelligent Focus and Auracast-ready streaming now.

• Battery Marathon Champion: Starkey Edge AI powers through with up to 51 hours per charge.

• Next-Gen Public Audio Access: ReSound Vivia streams Auracast audio today in equipped venues.

• Health + Safety Sidekick: Starkey Edge AI doubles as a balance coach, fitness tracker, and fall alert system.

• Most Discreet Fit: Vivia’s microRIE vanishes behind your ear.

• Wellness Tech for the Data-Driven: Edge AI’s My Starkey app tracks your movement and social activity.

• Best Waterproof Confidence: Edge AI’s HydraShield protection means sweat and rain are no threat.

Meet the Contenders

Two hearing aids. Two visions of what “smart” listening should mean.

ReSound Vivia 9

The Vivia 9 is ReSound’s smallest rechargeable AI-powered RIC. Don’t let the size fool you — it’s built for speech clarity in noisy chaos, 360° listening awareness, and Auracast broadcast streaming in public spaces. Its Intelligence Augmented platform works with your brain’s natural listening patterns for effortless clarity. The design is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, and it supports both iOS and Android direct streaming.

Starkey Edge AI 24

The Edge AI 24 is Starkey’s top-tier innovation. Built on the lightning-fast G2 Neuro Processor, it delivers crisp speech enhancement even in the busiest environments. But it’s more than a hearing aid — it’s a wellness companion with fall detection, activity tracking, and balance assessments. Battery life can stretch to an impressive 51 hours, making it the endurance athlete of hearing aids.

The Brains Behind the Sound

ReSound Vivia 9: The Intelligent Listener

 

ReSound didn’t just drop AI into the Vivia — they trained it like a world-class listener. At its core is a dual-chip system, with one chip dedicated to Intelligence Augmented (IA) processing and another dedicated to deep neural network (DNN) functions.

The DNN has been trained on over 13.5 million real-world speech samples in all kinds of noise, so it knows what voices are supposed to sound like. This allows the Vivia to lift voices forward and keep distracting sounds in the background, without making the world feel artificially muted.

Key Features that Drive Vivia’s Sound:

 

• Intelligent Focus: Combines a four-microphone “Clear Focus” beamformer with AI noise reduction to spotlight the voice you’re facing. If you turn your head, the focus moves with you, making it feel as natural as your own ears.

• M&RIE Receiver: Places an extra microphone inside the ear canal, giving your brain the natural sound cues it relies on for spatial awareness. This makes it easier to locate where a sound is coming from — a critical skill for safety and comfort in busy places.

• NoiseTracker II: Uses spectral subtraction to pull steady noises (like HVAC hum or traffic rumble) away from speech without distorting voices.

• Impulse Noise Reduction: Catches sudden sounds — like a dropped dish or a door slam — and softens them before they reach your ears.

• Wind Guard: Continuously detects wind turbulence and adjusts to keep speech audible outdoors.
  

In short, Vivia’s processing style is brain-friendly — it works with the way your auditory system already separates speech from noise, instead of forcing you to adapt to an unnatural soundscape.

Starkey Edge AI 24: The Instant Decision-Maker

 

Where Vivia focuses on brain-like listening, Starkey Edge AI aims to be the brain. The G2 Neuro Processor is an advanced chip with a fully integrated neural processing unit (NPU), built to classify and adapt to soundscapes in real time.

Instead of just deciding between “quiet” or “noisy,” Edge AI can identify and respond to dozens of micro-environments within seconds — like shifting from background music in a café to a sudden announcement over the loudspeaker, then to conversation at your table.

Key Features that Power Edge AI:

 

• Edge Mode+: A tap-activated listening mode for situations when you want maximum clarity instantly — like ordering at a busy counter or speaking in a crowded meeting.

• Neuro Sound Technology 2.0: Uses constant real-time analysis to adjust for changes in speech patterns, distance, and background noise without you having to touch a button.

• Real-Time Noise Reduction: Reduces unwanted noise dynamically, especially in fluctuating environments where sound levels change second-by-second.

• Multiflex Tinnitus Technology: Generates customizable masking sounds that blend with the environment to relieve tinnitus symptoms without reducing awareness of surroundings.

• HydraShield Acoustic Protection: While mainly a durability feature, it also keeps microphone performance consistent in humid or wet conditions, ensuring sound processing accuracy.

Edge AI’s approach is situational mastery — it’s built for rapid, seamless transitions between different listening challenges, always keeping speech sharp and natural.

Key Difference in Processing Philosophy

 

While both hearing aids deliver exceptional clarity, they prioritize different aspects of the listening experience:

• ReSound Vivia is about natural integration — letting your ears and brain work together with AI assistance to make speech pop without overprocessing the world around you.

• Starkey Edge AI is about total control — using high-speed, continuous analysis to reshape your listening environment in real time, even for sudden or unexpected challenges.

This difference means some users may find Vivia more “invisible” in its operation, while others will prefer the proactive, customizable control of Edge AI.

Feature Face-Off: Sound Processing Power Moves

Feature	ReSound Vivia 9	Starkey Edge AI 24
Core Processor	Dual-chip AI with DNN	G2 Neuro Processor with NPU
Noise Control	Intelligent Focus + NoiseTracker II	Real-time AI noise reduction
Special Boost Mode	Head-movement based	Tap-triggered Edge Mode+
Wind & Impulse Handling	Wind Guard + Impulse Reduction	HydraShield + AI noise shaping
Tinnitus Tools	None built-in	Multiflex Relief Suite

 

Plugged In: Connectivity and Streaming

In today’s world, hearing aids aren’t just about hearing — they’re about connecting. Whether you’re taking calls, streaming your favorite playlist, or tuning into public announcements at the airport, how your hearing aids connect determines how easily you can stay engaged.

ReSound Vivia 9: Streaming for Today and Tomorrow

ReSound Vivia 9 doesn’t just promise future connectivity — it delivers it right now. This is the first RIC model from ReSound with full Auracast™ capability activated out of the box. Auracast is the emerging Bluetooth standard that allows you to connect to public broadcast audio in places like churches, theaters, airports, and even gyms, without extra accessories.

That means the next time you walk into an Auracast-enabled space, you can stream the audio feed directly into your hearing aids with a simple tap — whether it’s a flight gate change announcement or the pastor’s sermon.

Daily Life Advantages with Vivia’s Connectivity:

• Auracast Now, Not Later: You’re already equipped for the next generation of public audio.

• Direct Streaming Without Accessories: Calls, music, podcasts, and TV audio go straight into your ears from iPhones or ASHA-compatible Android devices.

• ReSound TV Streamer+: Turn your TV into a private listening station without blasting the volume for the whole house.

• Multi Mic Accessory: Clip onto a friend or teacher for crystal-clear speech in noisy settings or from a distance.

For users who value future-proof tech and current-day convenience, Vivia sets the bar high.

Starkey Edge AI 24: Ready for the Wave, Strong in the Present

The Edge AI 24 is also equipped for Auracast broadcast audio, but it’s classified as “Auracast ready” — meaning the hardware is in place, and Starkey will activate it once the broader rollout is available in more public spaces.

Where Edge AI shines today is in two-way Bluetooth streaming. This feature means not only can you hear calls in your hearing aids, but your conversation partner can hear you through the hearing aid’s built-in microphones — no need to pick up your phone or use an external mic.

Daily Life Advantages with Edge AI’s Connectivity:

• Two-Way Streaming: Perfect for hands-free calls, especially while driving or multitasking.

• Telecoil Option (RIC RT model): Access sound directly in loop-enabled public spaces, such as auditoriums and older theaters, where Auracast isn’t yet available.

• Tap Control: Double-tap the hearing aid to answer calls, activate Edge Mode+, or change programs without reaching for your phone.

Edge AI’s connectivity is practical, user-friendly, and ready to expand when Auracast becomes mainstream.

Tech Showdown: Who Connects You Better?

Feature	ReSound Vivia 9	Starkey Edge AI 24
Auracast	Fully active	Hardware-ready
Direct Streaming	iOS + ASHA Android	iOS + Android
Hands-Free Calls	Yes	Yes
Specialty Connectivity	TV Streamer+, Multi Mic	Telecoil, Tap Control

 

Beyond Hearing: Health and Wellness

Modern hearing aids can do far more than help you hear. The newest models integrate health, safety, and lifestyle tracking features that were once the territory of separate devices like fitness trackers or medical alert systems. Here’s how ReSound Vivia 9 and Starkey Edge AI 24 differ in this category — and why those differences matter.

ReSound Vivia 9: Focused on Hearing First

ReSound designed the Vivia 9 with a singular mission — give you the clearest, most natural sound possible. While it doesn’t include built-in step counting, fall detection, or other wellness trackers, that’s actually a benefit for users who don’t want extra data or app notifications cluttering their experience.

Vivia’s app focuses on:

• Usage Insights: See how long you’ve worn your hearing aids each day.

• Battery Monitoring: Track remaining charge so you’re never caught off guard.

• Environmental Tracking: Identify how often you encounter noisy, quiet, or mixed environments to better understand your listening patterns.

By keeping its scope narrow, Vivia avoids overcomplicating the interface — perfect for those who want ease of use over tech multitasking.

Starkey Edge AI 24: Your In-Ear Wellness Partner

The Edge AI 24 takes a different approach. While it matches Vivia’s high-end sound processing, it goes far beyond hearing by acting as a health and safety assistant.

Standout Wellness Features:

• Fall Detection Alerts: If you take a hard fall, the aids automatically send an alert to a pre-set contact — potentially lifesaving for older adults or those with balance concerns.

• Balance Assessment: Uses advanced inertial sensors to measure stability and identify early signs of balance issues. This aligns with research on the benefits of hearing aids embedded with inertial sensors.

• Activity Tracking: Counts daily steps and logs your movement history to encourage staying active.

• Social Engagement Tracking: Measures your conversation time to help you maintain mental sharpness and avoid isolation — a factor linked to cognitive health.

• Integration with My Starkey App: All health stats are tracked, displayed, and adjustable in one place, alongside your hearing settings.

These features mean Edge AI is part hearing aid, part health tracker, part safety net, all without needing to wear an additional device.

Wellness Winners: Safety and Lifestyle Tracking

Feature	ReSound Vivia 9	Starkey Edge AI 24
Fall Detection	No	Yes
Balance Check	No	Yes
Step Tracking	No	Yes
Social Engagement Monitor	No	Yes

Choosing Your Wellness Fit

• Go Vivia if you want simple, distraction-free hearing enhancement with minimal extra tech.

• Go Edge AI if you want peace of mind from health and safety features and don’t mind a more data-rich app experience.

Both options improve your quality of life — one through pure, focused sound performance, the other through a holistic approach to hearing, health, and safety

Looks, Comfort, and Endurance

A hearing aid can have the most advanced processor in the world, but if it’s uncomfortable, obvious, or can’t last through your day, it’s going to sit in a drawer. That’s why design and battery life are as critical as sound quality.

ReSound Vivia 9: Small, Subtle, and Stylish

ReSound’s Vivia 9 is designed to be the “barely there” hearing aid. The microRIE form factor is 25% smaller than previous models, making it one of the most discreet AI-powered hearing aids available. For glasses or mask wearers, the slim receiver wire and lightweight build mean it won’t rub or cause irritation.

Why Vivia’s Design Works in Real Life:

• Color Variety: Choose from over 10 shades — including hair-tone and skin-tone colors — for maximum camouflage.

• IP68 Rating: Protects against dust and water, so rain, sweat, or accidental splashes aren’t deal-breakers.

• Ergonomic Receiver Placement: Positions sound naturally in your ear for less “processed” audio.

• Comfort Over Marathon Days: Wear from breakfast to bedtime without noticing pressure or weight.

Battery Performance:

• Up to 30 hours of use on a single charge without streaming.

• Around 20 hours with streaming and Intelligent Focus active.

• Quick charge: 10 minutes equals roughly 2.5 hours of listening.

This makes Vivia perfect for people who want a slim, discreet profile without sacrificing power for daily life.

Starkey Edge AI 24: Built Tough, Ready for Anything

Starkey Edge AI 24 takes a more rugged, versatile approach to design. While still small and discreet, it’s available in two RIC styles — the mRIC R for minimal size and the RIC RT with a built-in telecoil for looped public venues.

Why Edge AI’s Design Stands Out:

• Pro8 HydraShield Waterproofing: Waterproof up to 1 meter — one of the most protective designs on the market.

• Durability Meets Comfort: Engineered to handle sweat, dirt, humidity, and unexpected weather without damage.

• Flexible Style Options: Choose the smallest possible fit or opt for telecoil compatibility if public venue access is a priority.

• Color Selection: A professional range of tones to blend with hair or skin.

Battery Performance:

• Up to 51 hours of runtime on a single charge — the longest of any major premium hearing aid.

• Maintains high performance even with streaming and feature-heavy use.

• Consistent battery health over years of charging thanks to lithium-ion tech.

Edge AI is for users who need all-day endurance and the confidence that their hearing aids can handle anything life throws at them — from long travel days to sweaty workouts.

Style & Stamina: Which One Keeps Up?

Feature	ReSound Vivia 9	Starkey Edge AI 24
Size	MicroRIE	mRIC R or RIC RT
Waterproofing	IP68	IP68 + HydraShield (up to 1 meter)
Max Battery Life	30 hrs	51 hrs
Quick Charge	10 min = 2.5 hrs	N/A
Color Options	10+ tones	Multiple natural tones

 

Design Takeaway:

• Choose Vivia if you want ultra-discreet style and lightweight comfort that blends in completely.

• Choose Edge AI if you want maximum durability, battery life, and style flexibility with telecoil compatibility.

Control at Your Fingertips: Apps That Do the Work

ReSound Smart 3D™ App

• Adjust treble, bass, and volume instantly.

• Locate misplaced hearing aids.

• Receive remote sound adjustments from your provider.

My Starkey App

• All hearing controls plus full wellness tracking.

• Set goals for steps, balance, and conversation time.

• Caregiver “Hear Share” tools for added support.

App Arsenal: Who Puts You in Control?

Feature	ReSound Smart 3D	My Starkey
Remote Adjustments	Yes	Yes
Find My Hearing Aids	Yes	Yes
Wellness Tracking	No	Yes
Caregiver Tools	No	Yes

 

Real-World Performance

• ReSound Vivia 9: Shines in noisy environments like restaurants, markets, and airports. Auracast makes public listening seamless today.

• Starkey Edge AI 24: Stands out for long battery life and the security of health monitoring. Ideal for active, health-conscious users.

For insight into why timely adoption matters, see how treating hearing loss may combat dementia.

Which One Belongs in Your Ears?

Choose ReSound Vivia 9 if:

• You want top-tier noise handling and Auracast now.

• You prefer a barely-there fit.

• You focus on hearing performance over health features.

Choose Starkey Edge AI 24 if:

• You value wellness tracking and safety alerts.

• You need ultra-long battery life.

• You want telecoil for looped environments.
  

Ready for Smarter Hearing? Let’s Get You There

The ReSound Vivia 9 is your clarity-focused, future-proof choice. The Starkey Edge AI 24 is your health-tracking, all-day battery champ.

Either way, the right choice starts with guidance from a licensed hearing care provider. Our Injoy Hearing team offers personalized support, remote programming, and prices that save you thousands over in-clinic sales.

Find the one that fits your life best.  Reach out to Injoy Hearing today and let us match you with your perfect hearing solution.