Time to read: 15 minutes
Signia launched its new Xperience (X) platform in October 2019. The X chip introduced motion sensors integrated into the hearing aids for optimal speech intelligibility and sound quality in every environment. In July 2020, Signia has added new options to the X portfolio – Styletto X, Silk X and CROS X. They’ve also released Signia Assistant as part of their Signia app for Smartphone, which takes personalisation to the next level.
Quick recap on Signia X
2019 saw Signia X released in 2 receiver-in-canal styles – Pure 312 X and Pure Charge&Go X (Lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aid with inductive charging).
Hearing can go from easy almost impossible in a matter of seconds, depending on how the wearer is interacting with the environment or if they’re moving from one situation to another. Signia X introduced acoustic sensors combined with motion sensors and linked this information to the sound processing.
This means more aspects of the listening environment can be measured than ever before, as it can now incorporate how movement is affecting the hearing of the wearer. Signia call this Dynamic SoundScape Processing, and this feature ensures the soundscape is brought to life as well as providing complete spatial accuracy.
Signia X offers 2.4 GHz which supports Made for iPhone technology for direct streaming. Signia X was released in the 3 (standard), 5 (advanced) and 7 (premium) technology levels.
Styletto X
It is a sleek, slim and modern-looking rechargeable device with a charging case that resembles Apple Airpods. Signia wanted to transform the negative associations people might have about hearing aids, and with this in mind, Styletto was designed as a hearing aid that looks less like a hearing aid and more like a Bluetooth earpiece.
However, it was limited in that while it looked like a Bluetooth earpiece, it wasn’t Bluetooth compatible. It was also only suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss, with only one strength of receiver available.
Now in its third generation, Styletto X is more practical and versatile than before. Not only does it feature full Bluetooth connectivity for direct streaming (made for iPhone, but can also connect to other Bluetooth devices via the StreamLine mic accessory), it also offers an exchangeable receiver – now available in 3 receiver strengths (S, M and P) in 4 different lengths (size 0, 1, 2 and 3).
Styletto is also now updated on the X chip so it also utilises the motion sensor technology.
Here’s a quick rundown of Styletto X:
- Supports Made for iPhone technology for direct streaming;
- Compatible with StreamLine mic and StreamLine TV accessories;
- Exchangeable receiver strengths and lengths;
- Rechargeable – in-built battery in the portable charger, offering an additional 3 full charges before needing to be plugged into a power source. Battery life on a single charge is 19 hours without streaming, or 16 hours including 5 hours of streaming. Charge time is 4 hours (from completely drained). Supports USB-C and Qi-enabled wireless charging;
- Now available in 5 colour options (new colours include black and white).
Silk X
Ideal for first-time hearing aid wearers looking for a discreet solution without having to wait weeks for a custom-built device. It’s available with comfortable silicone sleeves in different sizes and versions to suit up to a moderate hearing loss.
The updated Silk X now features improvements in hearing in noisy environments for those fitted binaurally. Using an audio link between the devices, sound is processed binaurally to deliver directionality in a hearing aid style that traditionally doesn’t offer it.
This feature has been available for a number of years now and is known as OneMic Directionality. Silk X introduces OneMic Directionality Gen 2, which doubles the directional performance so that it boasts the equivalent directionality to a twin mic behind-the-ear device.
Here’s a quick rundown of Silk X:
- Instant-fit CIC – small and discreet. Completely-in-canal size, bordering on invisible-in-canal size (depending on the ear canal);
- Suits up to a moderate hearing loss;
- OneMic Directionality Gen 2 for improved performance in background noise;
- No onboard adjustability, but can be adjusted via the miniPocket remote control, or the freely available Signia app for Smartphones.
CROS X
Signia has aimed to deliver the benefits of binaural hearing to CROS/BICROS wearers and they have certainly don’t disappoint with CROS X.
CROS X utilises the motion sensors and binaural link between the hearing aid and CROS to provide binaural processing, the benefits of which include spatial awareness. The binaural link also means that the devices can take advantage of the narrow directionality feature that has been available in Signia hearing aids for years, but never before in a CROS device.
Here’s a quick rundown on CROS X:
- CROS Pure 312 X compatible with Pure 312 X;
- CROS Pure Charge&GO X compatible with Pure Charge&Go X;
- CROS Silk X compatible with Silk X;
- Uses binaural link between 2 devices to access binaural processing, providing spatial awareness and directionality for hearing in noise;
- CROS Pure 312 X and CROS Pure Charge&Go X offer direct connectivity (Made for iPhone);
- Signia app version 2.2 gives the wearer the ability to control the hearing aid microphone as well as CROS sensitivity.
Signia X technology levels
Signia X is now available in more styles than ever, and as of August 2020, will be available across all technology levels – 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7.
Signia Assistant
The freely available Signia app now also features Signia Assistant, which was designed to improve the performance of the hearing aids in a real time, real world situation. Signia Assistant offers next-level personalisation for the wearer. Signia X took a leap forward in personalisation by introducing motion sensors to detect and adapt to what the wearer is doing to provide a better understanding of the listening needs and to personalise the signal processing for those needs.
Signia Assistant is a tool that wearers can use to personalise and optimise their hearing aid performance between clinic appointments. It provides instant support to guide the wearer to improved hearing immediately at the time and place they’re experiencing hearing difficulty. It takes a problem-based approach and presents the wearer with some scenarios to select from.
Once selected, it analyses the acoustic environment in order to better understand the listening needs. It then uses machine learning and neural networks to draw from data from the Cloud to access other successful solutions to similar problems from thousands of other wearers world-wide. Signia Assistant will propose a solution which can be applied, validated, kept, reverted or further optimised.
Signia Assistant is a tool that will continue to improve as it learns. Any adjustments are uploaded to the Cloud, and all data is analysed and continually improved as more and more people utilise it (currently 13 million data points and growing). Unlike a hearing clinic that operates during set business hours, Signia Assistant provides 24/7 support. It also offers instructional and guidance videos and troubleshooting tips for hearing aid management.
Here’s a quick rundown on Signia Assistant:
- Personalisation via the Signia app – changes can be validated in real-time;
- Machine learning systems for hearing aid adjustments between clinic visits – world’s first live neural network for hearing aids (N.B. does not replace clinical follow ups);
- 24/7 support;
- Empowers the wearer to resolve issues themselves;
- Instructional and guidance videos available;
- Provides troubleshooting tips;
- Available for Signia Pure 312 X, Pure Charge&Go X, Styletto X in technology levels 3, 5 and 7;
- Compatible with iPhone using iOS 10+ and Android 7+.
Summary of Signia X update
Modern hearing aids can deliver significant benefits to hearing aid wearers. Each new generation of devices improves features such as speech intelligibility, sound quality etc.
However, recognising that no two wearers live the same life and experience the same times, and offering personalisation is the latest advancement in hearing aid technology. The X chip utilises motion sensors to provide not only additional information about the wearer’s listening environment but also what the wearer is doing so that the adaptive features of the hearing aids can be adjusted to meet the wearer’s needs.
The release of Styletto X and Silk X now gives more options to select from. CROS X also rounds out the portfolio to include those who need CROS/BICROS fittings and offers greater directionality for hearing in challenging situations than any other manufacturers. The Signia Assistant now offers a powerful tool to empower the wearer to resolve issues themselves in between clinic visits, offering a greater level of personalisation.
