Hearing aid manufacturer Signia has announced a new product, the Signia Active Pro Integrated Xperience (IX) earphones, which are also certified as prescription-grade hearing aids.
Integrated Xperience is a hearing aid platform with a multi-stream architecture that can identify multiple, on-the-go conversation partners in real time.
Additionally, up to four focus streams can be handled using Signia’s RealTime Conversation Enhancement tool, which “analyzes, enhances and adapts” to the dynamic flow of a multi-party conversation environment.
For example, RealTime Conversation Enhancement enables your hearing aids to amplify and follow the voices of multiple conversation partners simultaneously, even as they move or turn their head.
Signia’s beamforming technology is at the core of Augmented Focus, according to the company: The sound input to the hearing aid is split into two signal streams: one stream contains sounds coming from the front of the wearer, and the other contains sounds coming from behind.
Both streams are processed independently, meaning that a dedicated processor is used for each stream to analyze the characteristics of the sound from all directions.
“Signia Active Pro IX offers a modern, discreet solution for people who need to improve their hearing but cannot currently accept hearing aids,” Jens Moller, global head of the Signia brand, said in a statement.
“Signia Active Pro IX unleashes the full power of our Integrated Xperience technology along with a contemporary earbud design, allowing wearers to reconnect and fully participate in the conversation regardless of the environment.”
The Signia Active Pro IX and Signia Active IX are scheduled to be available in the US in December 2024.
In addition to hearing aids, Signia also offers tools and apps designed to broaden customer interaction and engagement.
The company also plans to roll out other products, such as the Active IX earphones, which have the same earbud design with Augmented Focus technology that includes automatic directionality and streaming audio connectivity.
Signia is also introducing the Signia IX Essentials hearing aid line, expanding its Integrated Xperience portfolio with long-lasting performance levels 2IX and 1IX in a select line of products that includes Signia Pure Charge&Go IX, Styletto IX, Silk Charge&Go IX and Insio IX hearing aids.
Larger trends
In May, Signia provided Styletto IX and Insio IX hearing aids to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs audiologists who treat veterans, U.S. Department of Defense audiologists who treat active duty military personnel, and the Indian Health Service who treat American Indians and Alaska Natives.
In March, Signia expanded its platform offerings to include Styletto IX and Insio IX, Signia’s smallest and most discreet CIC and IIC hearing aids.
In 2023, Soundwave Hearing received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Sontro self-fit OTC hearing aids, which blend mobile technology with artificial intelligence calibration to provide self-fit and sound amplification for individuals 18 years of age and older with mild to moderate hearing loss.
In 2022, the FDA established regulatory categories for over-the-counter hearing aids and made related amendments to update the regulatory framework for hearing aids.
