Signia's "Augmented Xperience" Hearing Aid Platform

1. Launch Date

Signia's Augmented Xperience (AX) platform was officially announced worldwide on May 4, 2021. The timing of this launch coinciding with "Star Wars Day" was no coincidence—Signia’s marketing team strategically chose this futuristic date to promote the advanced nature of the platform.

The introduction of this groundbreaking hearing aid technology was conducted via virtual events during the pandemic. The digital keynote presentation, recorded at the Cinecitta cinema complex in Nuremberg, Germany, was followed by over 2,000 viewers. A notable moment during the launch was the ceremonial handover of Signia brand ambassadorship from Miroslav Nemec to rally legend Walter Röhrl.

Technological and Market Context in 2021

When AX launched in 2021, significant changes were occurring in the hearing aid market. Leading platforms at the time included:

  • Oticon More: Launched in January 2021, the first hearing aid equipped with a built-in Deep Neural Network (DNN)

  • Phonak Paradise: Known for superior Bluetooth connectivity

  • Widex Moment: Introduced “PureSound” technology with zero-delay sound processing

  • Starkey Livio Edge AI: Distinguished by artificial intelligence features

In this competitive environment, Signia AX entered the market with the claim of being “the world’s first split-processing technology.” At the time, the global hearing aid market was valued at $12 billion and expected to reach $19 billion by 2028.

2. Technical Innovations Compared to Previous Platforms

System Architecture and Core Technological Advancements

The most revolutionary aspect of the Augmented Xperience platform is its dual-processor architecture. Unlike traditional hearing aids, the AX platform utilizes two separate processors:

  • Focus Sound Processor: Processes important foreground sounds such as speech

  • Environmental Sound Processor: Manages background noise and ambient auditory input

This system is branded as “Augmented Focus™” technology.

Comparison with Previous Signia Platforms

Differences from the Signia Xperience Platform:

  • While Xperience focused on motion detection and dynamic sound processing, AX prioritizes the separate processing of speech and environmental sounds

  • The number of channels and input amplifiers in AX has been doubled

  • Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) performance has been significantly improved

Enhancements in Technical Specifications:

  • Number of Channels: Dual 48-channel input amplifiers for each stream

  • Processing Speed: 110% increase via e2e 4.0 wireless technology

  • Latency: 60% reduction in binaural processing delay

  • Battery Life: 22% increase in rechargeable models

  • Dynamic Range: Expanded input dynamic range

Software and AI Algorithms

AX platform includes the following advanced algorithms:

  • AX Soundscape Processing: Enhanced situational awareness detection

  • Own Voice Processing (OVP) 2.0: Natural own-voice perception

  • Auto EchoShield: Automatic reduction of echo and reverberation

  • eWindScreen: Updated wind noise reduction

3. User Benefits and Practical Advantages

Speech Clarity and Noise Processing

Clinical studies showed the AX platform provides:

  • 100% of participants reported excellent speech understanding in home environments

  • Over 25% improvement in speech-in-noise performance compared to previous hearing aids

  • Better-than-normal hearing performance in simulated party scenarios

  • 85% of participants showed improved speech test performance with Signia AX

  • 84% reported excellent speech volume clarity

Listening Effort and User Experience

  • 3 out of 4 participants experienced less listening effort with AX compared to previous devices

  • 4 times more users preferred Signia AX over their former hearing aids

  • 94% of users reported excellent speech understanding with Signia AX

Fitting Process and App Usability

The Signia AX series offers advanced fitting capabilities:

  • Professional fitting with Connexx 9.9 software

  • User controls via the Signia App

  • My WellBeing feature for health tracking (steps, activity level, social engagement)

  • HandsFree feature for hands-free calls on iOS devices

4. Device Compatibility and Ecosystem Integration

Hearing Aid Models Using Augmented Xperience

The AX platform is available in the following models:

  • Signia Pure Charge&Go AX: The platform was first introduced in this model

  • Signia Styletto AX: Ultra-slim SLIM-RIC design

  • Signia Insio Charge&Go AX: The first custom rechargeable hearing aid

  • Signia Pure 312 AX: Model using traditional batteries

  • CROS Styletto AX and CROS Pure 312 AX: Solutions for single-sided deafness

Accessories and Connectivity

Smartphone Compatibility:

  • iOS Devices: Direct MFi connectivity

  • Android Devices: Direct streaming via ASHA protocol

  • Supported brands include Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Asus

Accessories:

  • StreamLine Mic: Remote microphone solution

  • StreamLine TV: TV streaming solution

  • Multi Charger: Multi-device charging

  • miniPocket: Remote control

Multilingual Fitting Capabilities

The Signia AX platform offers multilingual support globally:

  • Connexx software is available in over 30 languages

  • Signia App supports local language interfaces

  • Official distributor network exists in Turkey

5. Market Response and Expert Opinions

Feedback from Audiologists and Hearing Care Professionals

Professional evaluations are generally positive:

  • Dr. Leanne Powers (Signia Director of Professional Education):
    “Augmented Xperience changes the game by understanding which sounds should be focused on and which should stay in the background—creating an almost superhuman level of hearing that optimizes patient performance in any situation.”

Professional Community Feedback:

  • User reviews on HearingTracker.com are mostly positive

  • 8 out of 10 users prefer Styletto AX

  • Pure Charge&Go AX rated 4.2/5 SoundScore

Awards and Certifications

The Signia AX platform has received prestigious recognitions:

  • CES 2022 Innovation Awards: Honoree in Accessibility (AX), Wearables (Insio Charge&Go AX)

  • iF Design Award 2022: For design excellence in Insio Charge&Go AX

  • Loyalty360 Platinum Award 2023: For the Signia Aspire program

  • HearAdvisor Awards 2023: Recognized for AX technology

Criticisms and Limitations

Reported Issues:

  • Battery Life: Some users reported insufficient 11–12 hour battery life in Styletto X 7X

  • Software Stability: Some users experienced app or software glitches

  • Cost: Premium features contribute to a higher price point

6. Multilingual Documentation and Resources

Official Technical Documents

German Sources:

  • Signia Unternehmensprofil: “Signia ist eine der weltweit führenden Marken für Hörgeräte...”

  • AudioInfos365: “Mit Augmented Xperience die nächste Innovation”

  • Akustiker.net: “Hörgerätpionier mit immer neuen Innovationen”

English Sources:

  • Signia White Paper: “Evidence Supports the Advantages of Signia AX's Split Processing”

  • Hearing Review: “Augmenting Speech Recognition with a New Split-processing Paradigm”

  • AudiologyOnline: Multiple research articles and training materials

Turkish Sources:

  • Signia Turkey Official Website: “Signia AX changes the way you hear the world”

  • Pakses Distributor Website: Comprehensive AX platform information

  • Desibel İşitme: Technical documentation on “Signia AX Platformu”

Key Messages and Translations

  • German Key Message: “Die neue Plattform markiere ‘eine völlig neue Art der Klangverarbeitung’” →
    “The new platform represents a completely new way of sound processing”

  • English Key Message:
    “World’s first split-processing technology”

  • Turkish Key Message:
    “With dual processors: processes focused and environmental sounds separately”

7. Summary and Future Outlook

Role and Importance in the Signia Product Line

The Augmented Xperience platform can be considered one of the most significant innovations in Signia’s hearing technology history. This platform:

  • Builds upon the motion detection success of the Xperience platform

  • Serves as the foundation for the Integrated Xperience (IX) platform

  • Popularized the concept of split processing within the hearing industry

Roadmap for Future Innovations

Transition to the Integrated Xperience (IX) Platform:

Launched in October 2023, the IX platform expands upon AX by:

  • Increasing from 2 to 5 focus streams

  • Introducing RealTime Conversation Enhancement

  • Enabling multi-speaker tracking through a multi-stream architecture

Technology Trends for 2025 and Beyond:

  • AI Integration: More advanced machine learning algorithms

  • Biometric Sensors: Health tracking features like heart rate and step counters

  • Auracast Technology: Enhanced connectivity through LE Audio standard

  • Cloud-Connected Apps: Real-time language translation and fall detection

WS Audiology’s Technology Strategy:

WS Audiology, Signia’s parent company, is a global leader with €1.7 billion in revenue. Its R&D team of 630 professionals in Erlangen continuously drives innovation.

Signia's Augmented Xperience platform has ushered in a new era in hearing care. With its dual-processor architecture and Augmented Focus technology, it enables users to enjoy crystal-clear speech understanding even in noisy environments. Clinical studies confirm its effectiveness, and multiple awards validate its technological excellence.

With a strong presence in global markets—including Turkey—multilingual support, and continuously evolving features, the AX platform continues to significantly improve the quality of life for people with hearing loss. As the company transitions to the Integrated Xperience platform, Signia’s leadership in hearing innovation looks set to continue well into the future.