Rechargeable Hearing Aids All Round
Signia has expanded its well-received AX offering with a range of hearing aid styles. What’s interesting is that the bulk of them are rechargeable. There is only one traditional zinc-powered offering, a Pure 312. They have also ensured that there are CROS devices available for every style except for their custom ITE. The devices now offered are a new Styletto with a CROS Styletto, the Pure Charge&Go AX, a Pure Charge&Go AX with telecoil, a Pure Charge&Go CROS, the Custom Insio Charge&Go and finally, those mentioned above Pure 312 and Pure 312 CROS. Let’s take a look at the devices available.
The App and Telecare
Before we launch into the available styles, it is worth discussing the app, the Assistant, and telecare. The aids offer full connectivity to both iPhone and suitable Android phones, connecting to the accompanying app and streaming audio. I don’t think it will be long before we see the AX also offer hands-free phone calls, at least for iPhones after the new IOS 15.1 update.
The accompanying app offers the impressive Signia Assistant and access to remote care and fine-tuning. The Assistant is an excellent tool for users. It allows immediate support whenever you need to adjust your settings. It is easy to interact with and makes changes in the moment that you can assess.
You can either accept them or move on until you have what you feel is better sound. The Assistant is an AI system, and when it makes a change, the Assistant collects information regarding the user and the acoustic situation. The professional can see this data in their programming software, and it helps them understand your needs better.
Signia telecare is a valuable tool and can be used to fine-tune your aids on the go without you having to attend the office. Telecare has been around for a while, and Signia has been expanding its power through the generations. For many users, it is a godsend; it cuts down visits to the professional’s office, and they can access support in their environment.
Three Levels of Tech
All of the hearing aids mentioned here are available in three levels of technology, the premium 7, mid-range 5 and the lower mid-range 3.
Styletto AX
The new Styletto is smaller than its predecessor and offers a pretty discrete fit. The receivers are interchangeable, which means that the professional can replace them in the office if they fail. That was a real weakness with the original Styletto, but Signia quickly realised it and worked towards solving the issue. The aids will fit hearing losses from mild to severe with a simple change of receiver power.
The charger is a thing of beauty, easy to slip into your pocket; it offers four days of use on the go without having to charge it. The charger is also capable of wireless charging, so you don’t have to plug it in, just place it on a charging pad. The aids provide up to seventeen hours of use on a full charge which should see most users happy.
There is also a new Dry&Clean charger that charges the hearing aids and offers UVC cleaning and drying technology to keep the hearing aids in peak condition. The CROS Styletto is pretty much as you would expect, a Styletto shaped rechargeable transmitter.
Pure Charge&GO AX and T-AX
The Pure Charge&Go aids are pretty much the same, the only difference is the integrated telecoil on the T. They are small and light, offering a discrete fit. The aids will fit hearing losses from mild to profound with a simple change of receiver power. They come with a simple desktop charger, but the pocket charger is available as an added extra. I think it is worth the extra; I don’t think you will regret buying it.
The pocket charger is a thing of beauty, easy to slip into your pocket, and it offers four days of use on the go without having to charge it. The charger is also capable of wireless charging, so you don’t have to plug it in, just place it on a charging pad. The aids provide up to twenty-four hours of use, including five hours of streaming audio on a full charge, which should make most users happy.
There is also a new Dry&Clean charger that charges the hearing aids and offers UVC cleaning and drying technology to keep the hearing aids in peak condition. The CROS Pure Charge&Go is pretty much as you would expect, a Pure shaped rechargeable transmitter.
Pure 312 AX
Pretty much as it sounds, the Pure 312 aids are slightly smaller than the rechargeable versions. The aids will fit hearing losses from mild to profound with a simple change of receiver power. A 312 traditional zinc-air battery powers them.
Insio Charge&Go AX
We discussed the introduction of the rechargeable custom hearing aid a while ago here. The smallest Insio is about the same size as an In The Canal hearing aid, but a full shell model is also available. The aids will fit hearing losses from mild to profound.
The Insio comes with a desktop charger, but there is also a pocket charger. Like the other pocket type chargers, this charger is a thing of beauty. Because the charging is contactless, users don’t have to worry about inserting them into the charger. Pop them in, and they start charging.
The aids provide up to twenty hours of use on a full charge, seeing most users happy. Interestingly, the Insio has the Signia motion sensors onboard to adapt their sound optimally to the wearer’s situation by detecting if they are moving or stationary. That’s pretty damn cool for a custom aid.
I have tested Signia aids in the past and have been impressed with them. I always loved the Pure aids, excellent discrete aids that fit well. I have been testing a pair of the new Pure Charge&Go AX aids, and I will follow up soon with my thoughts on the devices.
The AX platform has been well received, and the idea of using two processors to separate the processing of sound is pretty cool. Many of the professionals I speak to who are fitting the devices are very happy with the results.
Of course, Signia is now only one of two manufacturers offering rechargeable In The Ear hearing aids. So they are worth your consideration if that tickles your fancy. Interestingly, they have only included one traditionally powered aid in the line-up.
Although, that may change in the future. It makes me wonder, though, are rechargeable devices so successful that zinc-air powered devices die off sometime in the future?
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