Hearing aid brand, Signia, has introduced Signia Multi adaptive Xperience (MaX), a new hearing aid platform powered by its Acoustic Intelligence technology, which uses four task specific Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) to analyse different aspects of sound simultaneously.
We attended the launch briefing and demonstration on Monday, where Signia showcased how its latest technology is designed to distinguish between speech, background noise, environmental conditions and the wearer’s own voice in real time. The demonstration offered an interesting look at how intelligent audio processing can reduce distracting sounds while helping users focus on important conversations.
Signia says MaX addresses a common challenge faced by hearing aid wearers in dynamic environments. While conventional hearing aids can perform well during one to one conversations, noisy settings involving multiple speakers can be more difficult to manage. Rather than applying AI mainly to noise reduction, MaX analyses multiple dimensions of the listening environment at the same time.
The platform brings together four DNNs covering Speech Detection, Own Voice Detection, Scene Analysis and Noise Processing. These work together to provide what Signia describes as a unified understanding of the wearer’s soundscape.
This powers four key functions.
RealTime Conversation EnhancementAI identifies and enhances multiple conversation partners in dynamic group conversations, while processing 75% more data points per second compared with Signia IX.
Own Voice ProcessingAI is designed to recognise the wearer’s own voice immediately without requiring in clinic calibration.
Ambient Scene AdaptationAI continuously assesses different characteristics of the surrounding environment.
Dynamic Noise ControlAI determines what noise is present, where it originates and whether the wearer is engaged in conversation before adjusting noise reduction.
According to Signia, internal testing found that 97% of wearers performed better with Signia MaX in noisy group conversations compared with key competitors. MaX also ranked first in signal to noise ratio performance during group conversations in noise.
The platform is powered by a new Signia MaX chip, which delivers 54 times more processing power than previous generations, 50% greater energy efficiency and twice the memory. These improvements are intended to support continuous, real time sound analysis while maintaining all day performance.
Signia has also incorporated ultra fast ear to ear communication, allowing both hearing aids to remain synchronised as the listening environment changes. This enables Acoustic Intelligence to operate across both ears as a coordinated system.
The first hearing aid to use the MaX platform is the Signia Pure C&G MaX, a receiver in canal model available in eight colours. It comes with a compact portable charger capable of storing up to four full charges. The charger takes four hours for a full charge, while a 30 minute charge can provide up to six hours of runtime.
Connectivity is another key feature. The Pure C&G MaX uses Signia’s OneConnect Technology, supporting Bluetooth Classic, LE Audio, Telecoil and Auracast. This is intended to provide a broad connectivity solution across different devices and listening environments.
Auracast support is also designed to prepare the hearing aids for shared and public audio experiences as compatible venues and systems become more widely available. Full Auracast functionality is scheduled to be enabled through a firmware update delivered via the Signia app by March 2027.
Signia is part of WSA and has developed hearing aids and related technologies since the brand was launched in 2016. The company focuses on rechargeable hearing technology, hearing aid design, connectivity and digital tools intended to support interaction between wearers and hearing care professionals.
