Together to audiological solutions
Technologies in the hearing care industry are developing at a rapid pace, but truly groundbreaking advances are rarely achieved alone. Rather, it is strategic alliances that fully exploit the potential for innovation. When two companies with pioneering expertise combine their strengths, the result is not just a product—it is a premium audiological solution that sets new standards. In this blog post, we discuss an extraordinary collaboration with MED-EL. This partnership shows how interdisciplinary cooperation and shared visions can lead to the development of hearing solutions that set new standards in terms of technology and user experience.
Starkey and MED-EL — a partnership for the future of hearing
The collaboration between MED-EL, an internationally renowned expert in hearing implants based in Austria, and Starkey, a global company offering the highest level of hearing solutions, marks a new milestone in the hearing care industry. For decades, both companies have been synonymous with innovation, the highest technological standards, and a deep understanding of the needs of people with hearing loss. The partnership that has now been formed has a common goal: to provide people with combined hearing needs—i.e., a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other—with a consistent, harmonious, and natural hearing experience.
This special form of hearing care is known as bimodal hearing. It is often necessary for people whose hearing on one side needs to be supported by a cochlear implant, while a conventional hearing aid is sufficient on the other side. Until now, the interaction between the two systems has been a technical challenge, with compromises in synchronization and sound quality. This is where the partnership between MED-EL and Starkey comes in.
DualSyncTM — the key technology for synchronous hearing
At the heart of the collaboration is DualSync™ technology, which was developed specifically for bimodal streaming. It enables Apple devices such as iPhones or iPads that support MFi streaming to recognize and treat the Starkey hearing aid and cochlear implant as a single, coordinated hearing pair. This allows wearers to hear music, speech, and sounds simultaneously in both ears—clearly, synchronously, and in their full range. Configuration is done via MED-EL's AudioKey 3 app, which brings both systems together as a unified set. Compared to previous solutions, streaming is possible via both systems—control is via separate apps.
User-friendliness is at the heart of the collaboration between MED-EL and Starkey—from setup to everyday use. The setup is designed to be quick and easy, with no additional technical effort required. Both audiologists and hearing aid users benefit from clear, intuitive step-by-step instructions that guide them safely through the entire process. The first step is to pair the Starkey hearing aid with the Apple device via the “Accessibility” menu in the settings. Once the connection is successful, the user opens the AudioKey 3 app and selects the appropriate bimodal configuration from the connectivity options. Important information about the connection is clearly displayed, and then the configuration process begins. During this time, the Starkey hearing system and the MED-EL audio processor are set up in a coordinated manner. The app informs the hearing aid wearer as soon as bimodal audio streaming has been successfully set up. With one click on “OK,” the system is set up and the hearing aid wearer can immediately enjoy the benefits of the new connectivity and integrate it into their everyday life. The AudioKey 3 app continues to control the MED-EL device, while the My Starkey app is used in parallel for sound preferences, clarity, and individual hearing comfort of the Starkey hearing aid. The volume of the streamed signal can be adjusted using the native volume buttons on the connected smartphone—for maximum freedom and unlimited listening pleasure.
DualSync™ is a prime example of software integration at the highest level. Apple devices recognize both hearing aids as a single synchronized Bluetooth audio device. Transmission occurs without any noticeable delay. This is crucial for natural hearing, especially in challenging situations such as conversations in noisy environments.
AudioLink XT and AudioStream or AudioStream Adapter
In addition to the central DualSync™ technology, bimodal users with MED-EL cochlear implants also have other bimodal connectivity options available. AudioLink XT acts as an external microphone or interface to FM systems, includes a telecoil, and enables streaming of audio content from the TV or laptop. This all-in-one solution is compatible with the SONNET 3 audio processor and Starkey hearing aids. Users of SONNET, SONNET 2, or RONDO 3 can also benefit from AudioLink XT, but only in combination with the AudioStream add-on module or the AudioStream adapter.
Fitting and software fine-tuning for maximum hearing quality—a technically optimized system can only deliver its full performance when the audiological fitting is also carried out professionally. MED-EL offers specific functions for this purpose with its MAESTRO software, which allows precise synchronization between the implant and hearing aid.
The bimodal synchronization function allows the timing between the cochlear implant and the hearing aid in the other ear to be precisely adjusted so that both devices work together optimally. This creates a harmonious, temporally coherent hearing experience, which is particularly important for speech comprehension. At the same time, listening stress is reduced and natural sound perception is enabled. The function must be actively configured by the audiologist in the MAESTRO software.
Compatibility and future-proofing
The new functionality covers all Starkey hearing aids in the EdgeAI and GenesisAI series. On the MED-EL side, the SONNET 3, SONNET 2, SONNET, and RONDO 3 audio processors are fully compatible. The only requirement is that the latest firmware is installed—an installation that audiologists can carry out quickly and easily using the relevant apps.
User-friendliness is a key focus at every stage of development. Both companies are committed to consistently focusing on hearing aid users—from the initial activation of the Starkey hearing aid and cochlear implant to everyday use. The aim is to make the technology as intuitive as possible and to offer hearing aid users a new level of autonomy and hearing quality with combined hearing solutions. The collaboration shows what is possible when specialists from different fields work together with a common goal to create a solution that focuses on the quality of life of people with hearing loss.
Cooperation as an indicator of innovation
The partnership presented here is an example of a new way of thinking in hearing care: away from isolated product thinking and toward networked development across industry boundaries. When MED-EL combines its implant technology with Starkey's hearing aids, it is a clear sign of interdisciplinary collaboration. This is where the future of hearing care lies, because no single company can fully meet the growing demands for connectivity, user-friendliness, sound quality, and accessibility on its own. It is only through the interplay of different perspectives—medical, technological, functional, and emotional—that groundbreaking results can be achieved.
This approach also sends a strong signal to hearing care professionals. Those who are familiar with developments in the industry can provide their customers with targeted advice, explain technical options in an understandable way, and offer genuine added value. Knowledge of such cooperation is therefore not only interesting, but also directly applicable in everyday life and in conversations with customers.
Visions become solutions. Solutions become quality of life. And collaboration results in what can now rightly be called a masterpiece of hearing technology.
Hearing the future requires partnerships
Become a Starkey Partner as an audiologist and benefit from maximum innovative strength. With a clear focus on forward-looking technology, intelligent system integration, and the highest audiological quality, Starkey is a pioneer in the hearing care industry. As a Starkey partner, you will have access to a broad portfolio of state-of-the-art hearing systems, be able to expand your expertise with training courses, and gain a decisive advantage in customer consultations thanks to unique technological features.
Welcome to the new era of hearing—we understand.