Many hearing aid users, especially those with high-frequency hearing loss, share a similar frustration: their new, expensive hearing aids work well in quiet settings but fail to help in noisy environments like restaurants. One recent post in a hearing aid support group captures this sentiment perfectly.
“I have no difficulty in small group settings in my home or garden. But in a restaurant, I couldn’t hear my husband at all. The hearing aids seemed to amplify everything equally, and the chatter overwhelmed me.”
This user had just invested in the Starkey Edge AI hearing aids—top-tier devices priced around £5,000 ($6,000 USD)—but felt let down when they couldn’t deliver improved speech clarity in group settings.
The Core Problem: Background Speech Is Still Speech
Hearing aids are excellent at reducing steady-state background noise (like fans, hums, or air conditioning), but they struggle with speech-in-speech noise. In restaurants, most of the “noise” isn’t machinery—it’s other people talking. Current AI hearing aids cannot yet reliably suppress competing speech while preserving the speech you want to hear.
Why High-End Hearing Aids Still Struggle in Restaurants
- Microphone Limitations: Even with directional microphones, hearing aids pick up sound from all directions—especially if speakers are sitting to your sides or behind you.
- Cognitive Load: The brain still has to work overtime to filter through voices, and for some users, that mental strain is overwhelming.
- Programming vs. Expectation: If your aids aren’t optimally tuned—or your expectations are mismatched—you may not get the results you hoped for.
Solutions to Try Before Giving Up
1. Use a Remote or Table Microphone
Starkey offers the Table Microphone (sometimes referred to as the “Starlink” mic), which can isolate up to 8 speakers sitting around a table and stream their voices directly into your hearing aids. This device is ideal for restaurant or large group situations.
Many other brands offer similar solutions. See our comparison of the best wireless microphones for hearing aids.
2. Customize Your Programs
Talk to your audiologist about setting up a dedicated “restaurant” or “crowd” program. In Starkey’s Thrive app, you can use the Edge Mode by double tapping the hearing aids or using the app to adapt in real time. But don’t be afraid to lower overall volume or disable some features like “Speech Enhancement” if they’re amplifying everything too much.
Also check out: How hearing aid programs work and when to use them.
3. Use a Remote Microphone for One-on-One Conversations
In situations where you’re trying to hear one person—like your spouse across the table in a noisy restaurant—a remote microphone can make a huge difference. These small clip-on mics transmit the speaker’s voice directly to your hearing aids, reducing the impact of background chatter.
For Starkey hearing aids, the Mini Remote Microphone is an excellent option. It can be clipped to your companion’s shirt and offers clearer, more direct sound input compared to relying solely on your hearing aids’ built-in microphones.
Other manufacturers like Phonak, Widex, and Oticon also offer similar remote microphone accessories that are compatible with their own systems. For example, you can learn more about Widex Sound Assist or Phonak Remote Mic options on our site.
Remote mics are ideal for:
- Dinners or dates with one conversation partner
- Listening to a speaker in a presentation or lecture
- Outdoor gatherings with background distractions
Other Hearing Aids That Perform Well in Noise
If your current devices still fall short, you might want to explore alternatives. Models like the Phonak Lumity and Oticon Intent are known for their strong performance in noisy environments through enhanced beamforming and AI-based processing.
Final Thoughts
Hearing in restaurants is one of the hardest challenges for any hearing aid wearer. You’re not alone in your frustration. The good news is: solutions do exist—whether through better accessories, reprogramming, or adjusting your strategies and expectations.
For a deeper dive into how you can improve your experience in background noise, check out our guide: Best Hearing Aids for Background Noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hearing aids block out background voices?
No. Current hearing aid technology cannot reliably suppress competing voices. They can reduce non-speech noise but cannot isolate a single speaker in a crowd without additional accessories.
Will using a remote microphone help?
Yes. A table mic or clip-on remote mic streams the voice you want to hear directly to your hearing aids, vastly improving clarity in group settings.
Is it possible my hearing aids are not programmed correctly?
Absolutely. Always check with your audiologist to ensure the devices match your hearing loss profile and that advanced features are enabled appropriately.
If you have any questions or want help adjusting your hearing aids, contact us today or share your experience in the comments.