Motion-Aware Hearing Aids Promise a More Natural Listening Experience

You can now experience sound in a more natural way—even when you're on the move—with Signia’s new Xperience hearing aids. Signia has introduced two new models, the Pure 312 X and Pure Charge&Go X, which both incorporate acoustic-motion sensors, and are based on Signia’s new YourSound technology.

New tech platform with "YourSound" technology delivers new benefits

Signia seems to be on a roll lately with new innovative technology. The company delivered its signature Own Voice Processing (OVP) technology with its previous sound processing platform—Signia Nx. OVP provided the unique benefit of making the hearing aid wearer’s own voice sound more natural by introducing dedicated sound processing for the wearer’s own voice (versus other environmental sounds).

OVP is included in the new Xperience platform, but Signia has also added “Dynamic Soundscape Processing (DSP),” which promises more robust sound processing for everyday environmental sounds. “Some technologies focus on strong directionality and noise reduction for improved speech intelligibility. Others focus on more omni-directional approaches for improved spatial awareness,” said Patricia ‘Tish’ Ramirez, Au.D., Signia's Vice President, Clinical Education & Professional Relations. “With Xperience, Signia’s unique analysis of the soundscape via DSP provides the best of both worlds without compromise.”

Aside from incremental sound-processing enhancements, Signia has broken new ground again by incorporating acoustic-motion sensors into their sound processing strategy. While onboard accelerometers have been used before for step-counting and fall detection, this is the first time that any hearing aid manufacturer has used acoustic-motion detectors to provide more natural hearing aid amplification when you’re on the move.

Acoustic-motion sensors enable you to hear more naturally when on the move

Ramirez said that when you're sitting at a table in a noisy restaurant, the new hearing aids provide noise reduction and narrow-focus directionality. Then, when you get up and start moving through the restaurant, the sensors allow the hearing aids to adapt with omni-focus, so that you hear more of the sounds that surround you.

The new Signia sound processing chip delivers sufficient performance to simultaneously handle multiple tasks, including balancing both directional focus and omnidirectional focus, and separate processing for the wearer's own voice. Signia’s Xperience technology seamlessly integrates those functions, whereas most other hearing aids "have to choose between them and struggle to avoid applying too much or too little directional effect," Ramirez said.

Two new Signia Pure hearing aids, and a new app

Signia's new products include two improved versions of Signia Pure receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids, one powered by disposable batteries and the other by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. To help manage Bluetooth pairing, program settings, and other accessories, Signia has also introduced a new smartphone app that integrates the functions of multiple previous apps.

Signia Pure 312 X

The Signia Pure 312 X, available now, features a more discreet design than previous Signia Pure models. Powered by long-lasting size-312 batteries, it features Bluetooth connectivity for streaming of phone calls, music, and TV audio, and an optional T-coil.

Signia Pure Charge&Go X

The Signia Pure Charge&Go X, available now, is a rechargeable receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aid with Bluetooth connectivity. Signia’s new lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are 16% smaller and provide 20% more charging capacity than the previous Signia Pure Charge&Go Nx. The devices feature a new rocker switch for easier adjustments and comes with a new inductive charger that also works as a dehumidifier.

New Signia app integrates multiple functions

Finally, a new Signia smartphone app combines three existing Signia apps into one unified environment. The Signia app works with both iPhones and Android smartphones and provides the provides:

• Direct contact and remote support from your hearing care professional
• Control for volume, directionality, stereo balance, and program settings
• Connectivity management for phone, music, and TV streaming accessories

Smartphone and Bluetooth connectivity

Like the Signia Nx models, the new Signia Xperience hearing aids are Made-for-iPhone hearing aids that can be connected directly to Apple devices for phone calls and audio streaming, without additional accessories. For Android devices and other Bluetooth mobile devices, direct streaming hands-free audio is possible with Signia's StreamLine Mic. And a high-quality stereo TV signal can be streamed directly to the Signia Xperience hearings aids with the StreamLine TV accessory.

Signia Xperience chip: a smaller, more powerful technology platform

YourSound technology is delivered by the powerful Signia Xperience chip. It includes 80% more transistors and seven times the memory of the previous Signia Nx chip, while being 60% smaller. As a result, the Signia Pure 312 X and Signia Pure Charge&Go X are smaller yet far more powerful than their predecessors.