Oticon Zeal NXT versus Starkey Omega AI 24 CIC WL 312
- Koorosh Nejad
- 5 hours ago
- 8 min read
Oticon Zeal NXT was released in October 2025. At the moment, the only other CIC hearing aid in the market with Bluetooth is Starkey Omega AI 24 WL 312. This report is a close comparison of the two rival hearing aids side by side
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Common ground
Oticon Zeal and Starkey Omega AI hearing aids are both:
Both hearing aids are CIC
Both hearing aids are Bluetooth-enabled; therefore, they can stream and make hands-free calls as well as receive remote programming.
Both use artificial intelligence (AI) and deep neural networks (DNN) for improving the understanding of speech in noisy spaces.
Water and dust resistance up to IP68 with double coating for extra protection.
For a better comparison between Oticon Zeal and Starkey Omega AI hearing aids, I will compare them in 6 different categories:
Speech intelligibility in a noisy environment
Natural sound and music
Form factors, severe to profound, ALD
Connectivity, Bluetooth, LE audio, Auracast
Battery life
Vanity, size, colours
Oticon Zeal NXT | Starkey Omega AI | Discussions | |
Speech intelligibility | Oticon Zeal uses DNN Gen 2.0 trained with 12 million sound samples, uses 4D sensor, resulting in 11 dB SNR improvement and up to 12 dB of noise reduction. The Zeal offers 35% better speech understanding compared to Oticon Real. | Starkey Omega AI uses Gen 3.0 DNN, resulting in 10-13 dB SNR improvement. Starkey Omega AI 24, 20 and 16 use 24, 20 and 16 channels for gain adjustment, respectively. You can activate the AI-DNN processing by double-tapping the hearing aid on through the Starkey app on your mobile phone or Apple Watch. The Edge mode can then stay activated, which will automatically adapt to the soundscape. | Both hearing aids have a very similar level of SNR improvement in speech intelligibility. They both benefit from a single microphone, so their ability to use directional sound processing is limited. |
Natural sound and music | Oticon Zeal benefits from the same speaker unit as Oticon Intent, hence one of the best high-frequency responses in the market. Oticon's amplifier and receiver are among the best in the market when it comes to high-frequency hearing loss. | Starkey Snapfit 2.0 receivers were also upgraded for integrity, shape and a wider dynamic range, which resulted in a better sound quality, especially for listening to streaming music. | I have tried both hearing aids myself, and I can say that I like the sound of both almost equally the same. If you try these two hearing aids, please note that the fitting and the setting of the aids can have a major role in the quality of the sound you perceive. |
Tech levels, range and price | Oticon Zeal only comes in one tech level. Also, it is the most expensive hearing aid on the market at the time of this article. The limitation of Zeal is that it has a fixed 75 dB receiver unit that allows the aid to support patients with mild to moderate hearing loss only. Even with an earmould fitting, the range does not extend much as the unit is not able to provide much power. | Starkey Omega AI WL CIC comes in 24, 20 and 16 tech levels. All have the AI mode, which can be activated with a double tap on the 24 tech-level or through the myStarkey app in lower tech-levels. The aid can take high-power receivers for severe hearing loss, which enables the Starkey Omega AI to cover the range of hearing loss from mild to severe hearing loss comfortably. | Starkey Omega AI WL CIC offers a variety of tech levels and is more budget-friendly. Also, it can cover a wider range of hearing loss. So my vote goes to Starkey Omega AI WL CIC. |
Connectivity, mobile app | Oticon Zeal uses ASHA, LE Audio Bluetooth, and is Auracast-ready. I found the Oticon app adequate in terms of functionality, but it falls way behind the level of functionality and adjustments that the myStarkey app offers. | Starkey Edge uses ASHA, LE Audio Bluetooth, and Auracast. | Both Oticon Zeal NXT and Starkey Omega AI CIC WL have Asha and Auracast streaming capability, so I'd say they score the same when it comes to connectivity and streaming. Both aids have tap control. |
Battery life | 20 hours of run time for the Oticon Zeal when fully charged. The aid is always in AI-DNN mode. It takes only 2 hours for Oticon Zeal to charge from empty to a full battery. | Starkey Omega AI WL CIC takes 312 batteries. So you can do unlimited streaming as long as you keep replacing batteries. Average users need to replace 31 batteries of Omega batteries once a week. | Rechargeable vs battery-powered hearing aids is a tough debate, and often comes down to the user's preference and lifestyle. Battery-powered aid is a good feature for two reasons: a. that the user can do a lot of streaming and hands-free phone calls through Starkey Omega AI CIC without being worried about recharging them, and b. the life of the hearing aids after the warranty period does not depend on the battery life. A replacement of |
Vanity and comfort | The Oticon Zeal can be fitted with domes or earmoulds. | Starkey Omega AI WL CIC is a custom-made hence needs at least two visits to the clinic. However, the outcome would fit and feel more comfortable. | Both Oticon Zeal and Starkey Omega CIC are CIC, so fairly invisible, especially if your ear canal is medium to large size. The comfort and retention of the Starkey Omega CIC might be better because it is a custom-made hearing aid by design. Also, it can match your skin colour, which is not possible for Oticon Zeal. |
Tips on how to choose between Oticon Zeal NXT and Starkey Omega AI WL CIC?
As you saw in the above comparison table, the two hearing aids have very similar features. The comparison comes down to the following 4 points:
Sound quality - My best advice is always to try them both. It would be a bit of a headache for your audiologist to make the Starkey CIC as it takes taking impressions and waiting for the aids to be made (usually about 2 weeks).
Comfort and vanity - If your ear canal is large, both models become literally invisible. Starkey Omega CIC can have a matching colour to your skin, which can help a bit, especially if your ear canal is small or small to medium. In that case, Starkey Omega CIC might feel and look nicer in your ears.
Your hearing loss - If your hearing loss is mild to moderate, both aids can nicely support, but if your hearing loss is moderate to severe, then you'd better choose Starkey Omega WL CIC, as the lab technician can fit power speaker units to support your hearing loss. If your hearing loss is associated with a health issue and you suspect that it may fluctuate, you definitely need a buffer at the lower end. You don't want to be in a situation where you start with Oticon Zeal when your hearing loss is moderate, borderline with severe and then your hearing loss drops deeper and the Oticon Zeal is not able to provide adequate power to your ear canal.
Streaming and battery life - If you do a lot of streaming and/or hands-free calls, there is a good chance that your Oticon Zeal will run short of power before the end of the day. Of course, you'll be able to give them a recharge for 30 minutes to get another 8 hours run time, but you need to remember that these figures for for a brand new product and certainly by the time they degrade. For high-demand streaming users, a battery-powered hearing aid always wins.
Which hearing aid is better: Oticon Zeal or Starkey Omega AI CIC 312?
No audiologist has a direct answer to this question. There are several factors in play. The answer to this question very much depends on the lifestyle of the patient and your wants and needs. The best is to reflect on the content of this article and book an online telecare session to discuss your options for the best hearing aid on the market with an audiologist.
Which one does a better job of hearing speech in background noise, Oticon Zeal or Starkey Omega AI?
At the date of publishing this post, there is no independent report of the performance of either hearing aid in speech in background noise. However, as per an independent assessment by HearAdvisor, Oticon and Starkey hearing aids rank quite closely in the First Fit tuning and the tuning with REM when it comes to background noise. Also, in a speech in noise assessment again, Oticon Intent ranked slightly higher than Starkey Edge AI.
How does the fitting of the hearing aid impact its ability in noise management and speech understanding in a noisy environment?
I need to emphasise that just like older generation hearing aids, the AI and DNN-driven hearing aids need to be professionally tuned up to be able to provide the clarity and the best performance in noise management and speech intelligibility in a noisy space. Doing a REM (real ear measurement) is necessary to boost the speech patterns in such a hearing aid. If your hearing aids are fitted with open domes, then the hearing aid will be amplifying the sound for the frequencies for which you have hearing loss, but it cannot do much to control the noise. It is simple physics; the noise will travel through an open dome. For better noise management, you need to consider a closed and ideally a power fitting (double dome fitting, or earmould). In a closed fitting, the hearing aid can use the processing ability it has to control the noise and help improve the hearing of speech in a noisy environment.
Which one is bigger, Oticon Zeal NXT, or Starkey Omega AI WL CIC 312?
As per my judgment, they are quite similar in size. Starkey Omega CIC may have an edge in size and vanity as it is a custom-made hearing aid, and the lab technician is able to place the receiver unit deep in the ear canal to make the whole hearing aid invisible.
Which hearing aid has a better mobile app, Oticon Zeal or Starkey Omega AI CIC 312?
Starkey Edge AI has one of the best mobile apps in the market. It allows customisation and saving programs for the users. It also has a built-in translator section, but more interestingly, it has a fall detector alarm that can send SMS texts to 3 preset phone numbers in case of an emergency if the wearer of the hearing aid falls. This feature alone makes the Starkey Omega AI a popular choice among seniors with concerns about falling. In summary, myStarkey mobile app offers some unique features in addition to the Oticon Companion app, such as:
Customisation and saving of programs
Fall detector - It can send a notification SMS to 3 preset contacts
Health tracking and monitoring - Can record and summarise a series of health variables and usage of the hearing aids and send them to your carer or physician.
Reminder - You can set it up to receive a reminder to take your medicine at such and such time.
Balance monitoring
Telecare - For remote adjustment and reprogramming
Hearing aid self-check
Free telecare consultation
Do you have any questions about Starkey Edge AI or Oticon Intent hearing aids? Book a free telecare consultation now.
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