Signia is launching new hearing aids in Spain in 2020: the new models are the Signia 312 X and the Signia Charge&Go X, both equipped with the new Signia Xperience technology, which, in Signia’s words, will let you hear what matters to you. Let’s take a look at the analysis.
What’s New in Signia Xperience Technology
This new technology is the first to combine two types of sensors in a hearing aid: acoustic and motion sensors. The goal of combining the information from these sensors is to better understand the patient’s surroundings, so that the sounds amplified are those that matter most to the user in any situation, even while the user is moving.
The listening environment can change in seconds, going from an easy environment for the hearing aid to a very challenging one as simply as walking through the door of a crowded restaurant. The new Signia-Siemens hearing aids have more information thanks to their new sensors, letting them detect these changes in the acoustic environment faster.
This feature is especially useful when the hearing aid user is moving, for example walking or running, since changes in the environment happen much faster and hearing correctly in these situations becomes more difficult. Signia X hearing aids are the first to take movement into account and actively follow the user’s conversations.
Want to Learn More About Signia Xperience?
Watch our video on how movement affects hearing and how Signia Xperience solves this problem.
Will Signia X Technology Help the User?
A study* carried out by Hearing Tracker, updated in 2019, looking at the features that matter most to hearing aid users, gives us insight into the potential benefits of dynamic sound processing. This survey was carried out among more than 10,000 hearing aid users, who rated the elements that had most improved their hearing ability as the following features:
- Directional microphones
- And digital noise reduction.
The new motion sensors built into Xperience technology, among other functions, help improve these two elements by very precisely factoring spatial orientation into sound processing, so improved hearing for the patient seems like a reasonable outcome.
Another study*, this time led by Signia, carried out with 55 participants and comparing the results with those published in the EuroTrak and MarkeTrak reports, found that:
90% of hearing aid users with Xperience technology felt that sound was more natural while moving, compared to the EuroTrak and MarkeTrak samples.
The conclusion of this study is that Signia’s new technology helps hearing aids “think” more like the patient would, and better process the sounds that matter most to them, improving understanding in environments involving movement.
Taking all this into account, we can conclude that this new technology would help improve sound quality.
Signia 312 X
The smallest custom-fit hearing aid with direct connectivity.
Signia
For now, this new technology is only available in the RIC hearing aid format, and hasn’t yet reached other formats such as the Signia Silk or the Signia BTE.
Within the RIC format, there are two models: the Signia 312 X, which runs on a 312 disposable battery, and the Signia Charge&Go X, which is rechargeable and runs on a lithium-ion battery.
The Signia 312 X was the first to launch with the new Xperience technology, and the Siemens-owned brand claims the Signia 312 X is the smallest hearing aid with direct connectivity. At BienestarAudio we haven’t compared it against every hearing aid on the market, but we have compared it with some direct competitors in Spain, and it’s certainly a small, slim hearing aid with rounded lines that make it very comfortable once fitted in the ear.
Let’s not forget that, on top of all the latest features, this hearing aid also includes OVP technology, first introduced with the Signia Pure, which detects the patient’s own voice so they can hear it sounding more natural. It also comes with DSP technology, already found in several Signia models, which allows for more natural sound management.
Signia Charge&Go X
This is the rechargeable Signia Xperience model. It’s slightly larger in size due to the space taken up by the battery. All the other Xperience technology features are the same as on the Signia 312 X.
Signia introduces a new charger with Xperience. Personally, I like the changes they’ve made, both in terms of design and functionality. The new charger will be more convenient for travel thanks to the included cover, and it also works as a dehumidifier.
Battery life allows for a full day of intensive use, and if you need a bit more, the hearing aids have a quick-charge feature that lets you get a half charge in a short amount of time.
Signia 312 X and Signia Charge&Go X Price
As we’ve come to expect, Signia offers three technology tiers for each hearing aid model in Spain. The differences between models come down to feature upgrades, but all Pure X models offer excellent quality starting from tier 3.
Hearing aid prices depend on the audiology centre closest to you. Fill in the following form and we’ll send you a personalised quote with the price of the Signia Pure model you choose.
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Signia X Accessories
The Signia Xperience comes with a range of accessories to help handle the trickiest listening situations.
Signia StreamLine TV Adapter
With this accessory, you can connect your Signia hearing aids to your TV and hear the sound directly through them. The StreamLine TV lets you connect your TV via HDMI, RCA or jack.
StreamLine Mic External Microphone
The StreamLine Mic is an external microphone that lets you hear the sound near the microphone directly through your hearing aid. For example, it can be useful in meetings with lots of people, where the microphone can be placed at the other end of the table, or in very noisy environments, where you can hand it to the person you’re talking to, to make conversation easier.
Signia miniPocket Remote Control
A remote control for your Signia hearing aid that lets you control all its functions in a discreet, convenient way.
References
- Survey of more than 10,000 hearing aid users carried out by Hearing Tracker. You can find it at https://www.hearingtracker.com/
- Dynamic Soundscape Processing: Research Supporting Patient Benefit. Matthias Froehlich, PhD, Katja Freels, Dipl.Ing., Eric Branda, AuD, PhD.
