Summary:
Signia introduces the Active Pro IX earbuds, which function as prescription-grade hearing aids with advanced conversation enhancement technology.
Key Takeaways:
- The Signia Active Pro IX earbuds combine a modern earbud design with prescription-grade hearing aid capabilities.
- These earbuds feature RealTime Conversation Enhancement technology, improving speech clarity in noisy environments.
- Studies show significant improvements in hearing clarity and signal-to-noise ratio with the Integrated Xperience platform.
Signia has announced Signia Active Pro IX, a new category of consumer earbuds that double as prescription-grade hearing aids to bring the power of conversation to even more wearers.
“Signia Active Pro IX offers our HCP partners a modern, low-profile solution for people who need to boost their hearing but might not otherwise accept hearing aids right now,” says Jens Møller, global head of the Signia brand.“In addition to a contemporary earbud design, Signia Active Pro IX delivers the full power of Integrated Xperience technology, empowering wearers to reconnect with conversations and engage fully regardless of their environment.”
Further Reading: Augmenting Split Processing with a Multi-Stream Architecture Algorithm
Integrated Xperience is the only hearing aid platform with RealTime Conversation Enhancement technology, powered by split processing to independently enhance multiple conversation partners while separately reducing background sounds to keep them immersive but not distracting. RealTime Conversation Enhancement technology introduces a multi-stream architecture capable of pinpointing multiple moving conversation partners in real time. It can process up to four focus streams using Signia’s RealTime Conversation Enhancement solution, which analyzes, augments, and adapts to the dynamic flow of multi-party conversation environments.
Studies of group conversation show Signia’s Integrated Xperience platform can significantly improve speech understanding. In one case, 95% of participants experienced greater hearing clarity with Signia Integrated Xperience than without.[1] In another study, Signia Integrated Xperience was shown to provide an incredible +12dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in a simulated noisy group conversation scenario.[2] In a recently published peer-reviewed study, 80% of participants preferred RealTime Conversation Enhancement on in real-world noisy group conversations.[3]
Signia Active Pro IX: Expanding the Hearing Aid Market
By reimagining hearing aids as consumer-style earbuds, Signia is betting that its Signia Active Pro IX will expand the hearing aid market by appealing to a large segment of people with hearing loss that may otherwise avoid wearing hearing aids, says the company.
Available in multiple color options, Signia Active Pro IX includes a rechargeable battery for all-day power, and wearers can charge on the go with the convenient charging case.
Like consumer earbuds, they support Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio and communicating via smartphone hands-free. Plus, with CallControl functionality, wearers can tap their Signia Active Pro IX earbuds to accept or decline calls. In addition, they are IP68-rated to resist dust, water, and sweat—critical for active wearers.
Expanding Access to Signia Hearing Technology
In addition to Active Pro IX, Signia is also launching its Active IX earbuds, which feature the same modern earbud design to appeal to hearing aid rejectors at an affordable price point. Active IX includes Signia’s Augmented Focus technology, automatic directionality, and streaming audio connectivity, among other advanced features.
The company is also announcing the launch of its Signia IX Essentials line of hearing aids in the U.S. market. Signia IX Essentials expands the Integrated Xperience portfolio with extended performance levels 2IX and 1IX across select Signia Pure Charge&Go IX, Styletto IX, Silk Charge&Go IX, and Insio IX hearing aids. With Integrated Xperience technology available in all performance levels, more people can benefit from the Integrated Xperience platform and enjoy the power of conversation.
Signia Active Pro IX and Signia Active IX will become available in the U.S. market in December 2024.
References
[1] Jensen et al. (2023). Power the conversation with Signia Integrated Xperience and RealTime Conversation Enhancement. Signia White Paper
[2] Jensen et al. (2023). Improving the signal-to-noise ratio in group conversations with Signia Integrated Xperience and RealTime Conversation Enhancement. Signia White Paper.
[3] Folkeard et al. (2024). Hearing at the Mall: Multibeam Processing Technology Improves Hearing Group Conversations in a Real-World Food Court Environment. American Journal of Audiology.
Featured image: Signia Active Pro IX earbuds in charger. Photo: Signia
Encouraging to note that both Signia and Apple (perhaps others?) are launching earbuds in December that can work as hearing aids. The competition will no doubt drive continued development, and keep prices down. I hope that users, audiologists, musicians and assorted forums will keep up a stream of feedback (of the right sort!) to these manufacturers. They could be encouraged right now to tell all of us, including early purchasers, exactly what user-adjustments are provided.