Signia is owned and operated by WS Audiology, the largest hearing aid conglomerate in the world. Prior to 2015, Signia was known as Siemens, and they have been best known for quality devices, pioneering technology, and feature-rich hearing aids. The company was the first to develop hearing aids with directional microphones as well as wireless, ear-to-ear technology, and Signia continues to be a market leader in hearing aid features. Signia is also known for their focus on style and aesthetics without losing the function for which they have become to be known. There is a stigma associated with hearing aid use, and this focus on design helps to fight against that stigma. Signia, as one of the largest hearing aid manufacturers in the world, offers choices at almost every price point, for every style, and with different levels of technology.
The Signia Active line of hearing aids do not look like any other hearing aids on the market, in fact, they look like a pair of earbuds that you would wear to listen to music. They also come with a pocket-size charger that the hearing aids slide right into and are held down magnetically while charging. They are small and fit comfortably inside your ear. They excel at streaming both music and phone calls via Bluetooth and feature HD sound quality that can enhance your listening experience. You can also get them with the Xperience platform for which Signia is known, providing high end speech clarity, great sound quality, and top notch directionality features. The following is a review and description of the Signia Active line of hearing aids including the Active, Active Pro, and other models in the Signia Active line.
Things to Consider Before Buying
If you are looking for a hearing aid that does not look like a hearing aid, the Signia Active In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids are a great option. They have the quality and design of the high end earbuds that have made their way to the market recently, and the HD sound makes music and voices sound great. The Signia Active and Active Pro run on the Xperience platform which give you high end speech recognition and clarity no matter where the sound is coming from. They also feature “Automatic Situation Detection” that uses sensors in the hearing aids to read your acoustic environment and automatically change your settings appropriately. You also get the Signia app that includes the Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered Signia Assistant. In today’s world, everyone wears earbuds virtually anywhere they go, and the Signia Active hearing aids look just like a high end set of consumer earbuds. You get great connectivity, automatic settings adjustments based on your environment, high end sound quality, and all in an attractive and modern package.
Pros
- They do not look like hearing aids.
- Direct Bluetooth connectivity to iPhones and connectivity to Android devices using the Streamline Mic accessory.
- Rechargeable batteries with a great battery life.
- They fit really well, and most people are used to the feel of an earbud.
- Small, lightweight, and comfortable.
- The Signia app is one of the most robust and easiest to use on the hearing aid market.
- The Xperience Chip gives you clear sound with great speech recognition and clarity.
- Signia Assistant uses AI to learn your hearing preferences and provide you with top of the line service.
- The charging case is small enough to fit in your pocket and durable enough to use as a carrying case.
- A beginner and advanced model available.
Cons
- There are no Behind-The-Ear (BTE), Invisible-In-the-Canal (IIC), or In-The-Canal (ITC) options.
- You need the StreamLine Mic accessory to connect with non-ios devices.
- On the expensive side.
- Can be difficult to work with if you do not have access to the Signia app.
- Not ideal for severe or profound hearing loss.
Features & Benefits
Design/Type of Hearing Aid
Signia Active hearing aids do not look like hearing aids, and that is one of their greatest strengths. They are ITE hearing aids that look just like high end earbuds, and in today’s world a lot of people wear earbuds in everyday life. They fit snugly and have customization options that make them sit in your ear without falling out. They are built for people with more mild and moderate hearing loss.
Fit and Wearability
The Signia Active hearing aids sit comfortably in your ear just like a pair of earbuds. They fit a little snugly at first, but not uncomfortably, and that is necessary so that they do not fall out. You see people in the gym or out running all the time with earbuds because they are comfortable and because they stay in your ear. The Signia Active have many of those same advantages, but also the state-of-the-art technology of a Signia hearing aid. The way that the device fits each person is that there are different size sleeves, and one will fit any ear.
Performance
- Battery
Signia Active hearing aids are rechargeable and come with a pocket-size changing case that is durable enough to be used as a carrying case as well. Because of its size, you can take the charging case anywhere, so even if you forget to charge them overnight one night, simply stick the hearing aids in the case for 30 minutes and you will get a few hours of use out of them. You also get a full charge after about four hours. The convenience of rechargeability in hearing aids is becoming more and more important, and having that feature in an ITE hearing aid is a really good feature.
- Sound quality
- Directionality
The microphones in the Signia Active hearing aids will work together to focus on the dominant speech sound in your environment, no matter where it originates. Most hearing aids focus on what is in front of you, and most of the time that is ok because you generally converse with people in front of you. The Xperience platform takes in all of the sounds in your environment, and is able to pinpoint the most important and focus on where it came from and how to process it.
- Adaptability
If you have worn earbuds with a smartphone or music player, then you know how easy it is to grow accustomed to this type of hearing aid. They are very easy to take in and out of your ears as well, so when you need a break and are not in an important listening situation, all you have to do is remove them. They are made for athletics and to fit as snugly or as loosely as you want, all you have to do is change the sleeves.
- Adaptive noise reduction
The Auto EchoShield automatically gives you real-time, automatic echo adjustments and reductions in halls, large rooms with a lot of noise, and other places where echoing can be a problem.
- Automatic sound adjustment based on environment
Automatic Situation Detection uses sensors to adjust to any acoustic situation you find yourself in automatically and instantly. The sensors take into account the entire acoustic environment from front to back and then adjust your settings and the sound that is processed based on the environment.
- Streaming
You can stream directly from most iPhones and you can stream from other devices using the StreamLine Mic accessory. The direct streaming capability is important, but what is even more important is the quality of sound that you get with the Signia Active device.
Accessories
- StreamLine Mic
The StreamLine Mic allows for a fully hands-free experience with both audio streaming and phone calls from either iPhone or Android. As long as your phone has BlueTooth capability, the StreamLine Mic can connect to it and provide stereo-quality sound for any occasion. It can also be used as a remote microphone so that you can hear a lecturer or converse with a friend one-on-one in a crowded environment.
- StreamLine TV
The StreamLine TV accessory allows you to stream audio directly from your television to your hearing aids with no interference. You can even change your own personal volume without affecting the volume of the actual television.
- miniPocket
The miniPocket is essentially a small, discrete remote control that allows you to change the volume and settings of your hearing aids. It is much smaller than a smartphone and is the perfect option if you do not want to use your app but still want remote control of your hearing aids. You can even carry it on your keychain for better access.
- Pocket Size Charging Case
The pocket size charging case features fast charging as well as Qi wireless charging that makes it an idea accessory. It is so small, you can take it anywhere, and the charging is so efficient that you can charge it anywhere wirelessly without directly connecting to power.
AI Features
The Signia Assistant feature in the Signia app features machine learning which uses AI to learn your personal hearing preferences. There is also a “hearing test” function that helps your device learn more about how you hear and what your preferences are. These AI features allow your hearing aids to learn to become better the longer that you have them.
Unique Perks and Features
Bluetooth Connectivity
Signia App
As opposed to other hearing aid manufacturers that offer multiple apps to handle different accessories and aspects of the hearing aid, the Signia app covers every Signia device in one place. With the Signia app, you can control your hearing aids from your own smartphone so that you can enjoy everything that they can do. Some of the features available on the app include control over audio streaming, a remote control to adjust the volume or fix the settings, and access to remote support to fix any issues you may have. It is easy to use and most importantly, when you have your smartphone, you also have access to every feature of the Signia App. You have access to the Signia Assistant, which is described below, and you can connect to other devices and stream audio all from your phone. With the Signia app you get:
- Remote control over the volume, settings, and features of your hearing aid
- Face Mask mode which makes it easier to communicate with people in environments where face masks are being worn
- Management of connectivity and streaming features
- The ability to schedule and attend virtual hearing appointments and to receive support from your hearing care professional
- The ability to take “hearing lessons”at your own pace, focussing on how to hear more effectively with your hearing aids
The Signia app is another way to take control of your hearing experience and personalize your hearing aids in a way that works for you. This app is very easy to use, intuitive in its features and function, and thorough. It covers all remote control aspects of your hearing experience.
Signia Assistant
The Signia Assistant, like the name suggests, was created to be your “hearing companion” as you learn to use your Insio Charge&Go AX. The Signia Assistant can be found exclusively within the Signia App, but it is important enough to get its own description here independent of our description of the app. The Signia Assistant uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to learn your preferences over time, adjusting to your personal hearing style and providing the most personal hearing experience possible. The Signia Assistant is inspired by the way the human brain solves challenges and uses its highly developed live deep neural network to develop new listening skills based on the way your hearing functions. Basically, the Signia Assistant learns your preferences and creates a solution tailored to your individual hearing needs. Some of the features that you get with the Signia Assistant include:
- Availability for both iOS and Android systems
- Better speech comprehension
- Settings tailored to your personal preferences along with machine learning that can change intuitively as your preferences change
- 24/7 support within the app
- Confidence in your hearing success and control over the process
- Videos and troubleshooting guides to help you solve any issues that arise with your device.
- A live deep neural network that can develop new listening skills over time as it learns the way your hearing functions.
Design
One of the best features of the Signia Active line of hearing aids are their design. They look just like a modern pair of earbuds, and unless you know what you are looking for, you would not know they were hearing aids. The stigma of wearing hearing aids rests on the idea that what you are wearing look like hearing aids, the Signia Active do not.
TeleCare
With TeleCare, you can stay in touch with your audiologist through teleconferencing, text messaging, or phone calls so that you can receive support when you need it. Support available includes the possibility of your hearing care professional connecting to your device remotely and making changes and adjustments as needed. Video learning is also available and your audiologist can suggest the classes that would provide you the most benefit.
Tinnitus Notch Therapy
Signia offers Notch Therapy to help those hearing aid wearers that experience tinnitus. Most tinnitus therapies exist to help lessen the symptoms, usually by introducing a new sound to the environment that can mask the tinnitus sound and effect. This does not treat the issue, it simply makes tinnitus harder to hear. Notch therapy, on the other hand, treats your tinnitus inaudibly, unobtrusively, and with a goal of curing the condition. Simply wear your hearing aids normally and the hearing aids will relegate the sound of tinnitus to the background of your hearing. Eventually your tinnitus will be barely noticeable. This type of therapy has the potential to take away tinnitus completely.
Cost
The biggest differentiator in cost is between the Active and Active Pro because of features and because the Signia Active is not made for everyday use. You can generally find a pair of the Signia Active hearing aids for less than $2,000 but you will pay at least $3,000 and up to $5,000 or more for the Active Pro. Most of it has to do with your medical provider, the accessories you purchase, and the level of care you need.
Hearing Aid Alternatives
FAQs
- What is the difference between Signia Active and Signia Active Pro?
The Signia Active Pro is the everyday, personalized hearing aid that is made for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. These devices are customized to your personal hearing situation and made for long-term use. The Signia Active was created as a starter model for people who are not yet ready to make hearing aids a part of their everyday life. Usually, people who purchase the Signia Active do so for specific situations rather than daily use or as a way to get used to hearing aids without going to the trouble and expense of personalization. They offer many of the same features, but the features of the Pro model are customized and useful to the individual.
- How much does Signia Active Pro cost?
The Signia Active Pro, at full price, costs around $3,000 for one device, but you can also find sale prices at some online retailers. The best thing to do is speak to your audiologist to find their price along with the care that is provided when you purchase from them.
- Is Signia a good hearing aid brand?
Signia is part of the largest hearing aid conglomerates in the world, and has been around for years in the hearing aid market. Before becoming Signia, the brand was known as Siemens, and even then they were pioneering hearing aid technology. They have all of the resources of the largest manufacturer in the world and the skill and expertise to constantly develop new products. On top of that, Signia is known for its quality products and for the durability they provide. They are one of the most reputable brands out there.
- What is the best hearing aid on the market?
The best hearing aid on the market differs from person to person and depends a lot on personal preference. If you are looking for hearing aids that look so much like earbuds that you cannot tell the difference, the Signia Active series is one of the best. Each brand and each device has its own strengths and weaknesses, it is up to each individual to match their needs with the features and strengths of the device.
The Signia Active and Active Pro are great hearing aids for anyone who wants HD sound in a device that does not even look like a hearing aid. It can pick up sounds from all directions and help you focus on what is most important, even in noisy situations. Many people do not want to try hearing aids to begin with because of how they look and the stigma associated with them. The Signia Active created a pair that looks like earbuds to fight that, and they are both easy to use and comfortable. Signia has a great app, the Signia Assistant helps a lot, and the speech clarity is as good as you would expect from a Signia product. All of that, however, takes a backseat to the aesthetics of the product, and if you want a high end hearing aid that does not look like a hearing aid, you should try the Signia Active.
