Signia Integrated Xperience Hearing Aid Platform

Market Launch of Integrated Xperience
The Signia Integrated Xperience (IX) platform was officially announced by WS Audiology on September 5, 2023, and launched in the same month. The platform was introduced during a digital keynote presentation, with Tobias Wiedmann, Sales and Marketing Director of Signia Deutschland in Germany, describing it as "a new platform that eclipses everything before it."

State of the Hearing Aid Industry in 2023
In 2023, the hearing aid industry was experiencing widespread adoption of artificial intelligence and advanced signal processing technologies. The dominant technologies in the sector at the time were:

  • Directional microphones: Adaptive directional microphones and multi-channel noise reduction algorithms had become standard.

  • Bluetooth connectivity: MFi (Made for iPhone) and ASHA (Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids) standards were widely used.

  • Rechargeable batteries: Lithium-ion battery technology had become the industry standard.

  • Smartphone integration: Integration of hearing aids with smart devices was a fundamental requirement.

The primary challenge in the industry was defined as improving speech understanding in noisy environments and enhancing performance, especially in group conversations. This represented the fundamental issue known as the "cocktail party problem," which had been attempted to be solved for 50 years.

Technical Differences from Previous Platforms
Core Innovation: RealTime Conversation Enhancement
The most significant innovation of Integrated Xperience is RealTime Conversation Enhancement (RTCE) technology. This technology expands upon the foundation of the previous Augmented Xperience (AX) platform by transitioning to a multi-stream architecture.

Comparison with Augmented Xperience (AX)
Previous AX Platform (2021):

  • Used split processing technology with two separate processors

  • Limited to two focus streams

  • Basic directional microphone technology

New IX Platform (2023):

  • Multi-stream architecture expanded to five focus streams

  • Analyzes 192,000 data points per second

  • Adaptive system updated 1,000 times per second

  • Real-time tracking of moving speakers

Technical Architectural Innovations
According to German technical documentation, the IX platform is introduced as the world’s first platform featuring "Multi-Beamformer, 2-Way Signal Processing, and dynamic Conversation Enhancement." The platform emerged after 9 years of research and 300,000 hours of development at the Erlangen R&D center.

Hardware and Software Improvements
Hardware Improvements:

  • Enhanced processor power for multi-speaker tracking

  • Bluetooth LE Audio and classic Bluetooth support

  • Up to 36 hours of battery life (with 5 hours of streaming)

Software Improvements:

  • Advanced control options via the Signia App

  • TeleCare remote adjustment support

  • OVP 2.0 (Own Voice Processing 2.0) technology

User Benefits and Advantages
Improvements in Speech Understanding
Objective clinical studies have proven that Signia IX delivers significant advantages over competitors in group conversation scenarios. Studies demonstrated a 3.2 dB SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) advantage, translating to more than double the speech enhancement benefit compared to the closest competitor.

Performance Data
Clinical Study Results:

  • 95% of participants performed better with RTCE technology

  • 22% better speech understanding in noisy group conversation scenarios

  • 77% of participants reported improved speech perception

User Experience Enhancements
According to evaluations by Turkish audiologists, the IX platform offers these advantages:

  • Better hearing in dynamic situations: Superior performance even in noisy environments

  • Enhanced wireless streaming: Bluetooth technology compatible with iOS and Android devices

  • User-friendly remote care: Adjustments via TeleCare system from home comfort

  • All-day battery life: Enables uninterrupted use

International User Experiences
An international study with 78 experienced hearing aid users (from the USA, Taiwan, Germany, UK, Italy, and Australia) showed exceptionally high satisfaction levels with the IX platform compared to their own devices. Results received positive evaluations in both perceptual domains (speech understanding, sound quality) and emotional/behavioral aspects (ability to contribute, feeling of confidence).

Compatibility and Ecosystem
Hearing Aid Models Featuring the IX Platform
Current IX Models:

  • Pure Charge&Go IX: Flagship RIC model, 24-36 hours battery life

  • Pure Charge&Go T IX: Version with telecoil

  • Pure Charge&Go BCT IX: Features Bluetooth Classic for universal connectivity

  • Silk Charge&Go IX: World’s first rechargeable CIC model

  • Styletto IX: Thinnest Slim-RIC design

  • Insio IX: Smallest CIC and IIC models

  • Active Pro IX: Headphone-like design

Accessory Compatibility
Wireless Accessories:

  • miniPocket remote control

  • StreamLine TV connector

  • StreamLine Mic remote microphone

  • Roger system compatibility (via neck loop)

Connectivity Technologies
Bluetooth Support:

  • MFi (Made for iPhone): Direct connection with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

  • ASHA: Direct streaming with Android devices

  • Bluetooth LE Audio: Next-gen low-energy technology

  • Bluetooth Classic: Universal device compatibility (in BCT IX model)

App Support:

  • Signia App for iOS and Android control

  • Hands-free calling feature

  • Auracast-ready technology

Market Response and Professional Feedback
Audiologist Evaluations
Feedback from professional audiologists has been highly positive. Signia’s focus on evidence-based practice and research component is praised. Particularly, IX’s signal-to-noise processing capabilities are rated among the best across all manufacturers.

Professional Opinions in Turkey
According to Turkish audiologists, the IX platform stands out with its "revolutionary Real-Time Conversation Enhancement technology." Audiologist Nur Baykuş from Natural Hearing Aids Center emphasizes that device selection considers the user’s age, hearing loss configuration, social life, and manual dexterity.

International Clinical Assessments
Cardiff Hearing experts state that IX’s promise of "natural, effortless conversations" is realistic. They highlight that Pure Charge&Go IX caters to a wide hearing loss range (from mild to profound losses). HearAdvisor test lab awarded Styletto IX its "Expert Choice Award," evaluating it as an "exceptionally well-performing" product.

User Experience Examples
The experience of Nashville meteorologist Meaghan Thomas demonstrates IX’s real-world benefits: She reported "clearly hearing her boyfriend across the table in a noisy restaurant while also following the conversation of the couple at the next table."

Awards, Certifications, and Industry Recognition
Prestigious Industry Awards
2024 CES Innovation Awards:
Signia Silk Charge&Go IX won the "Best of Innovation" award in the Wearable Technologies category. This prestigious program recognizes outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products.

2024 BIG Innovation Awards:
The Signia Integrated Xperience platform was selected as the winner in the Health category. Past winners of this program include renowned companies like Citi Ventures, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Velcro, and Colgate-Palmolive.

Technical Certifications
The IX platform has received certifications for compliance with European Union standards:

  • REGULATION (EU) 2017/745 (MDR): Medical Device Regulation compliance

  • Council Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS): Eco-friendly material standard

  • Council Directive 2014/53/EU (RED): Radio Equipment Directive

Financial Performance and Market Impact
According to WS Audiology’s FY 2024/25 Q2 results, the IX platform launch contributed to the company’s organic revenue growth. The successful launch of Signia BCT IX and other IX models led to a 22% increase in EBITDA margin.

Multilingual Documentation and Technical Resources
German Technical Documentation
Due to Signia’s German origin, the most detailed technical documentation was published in German. A report on Audioinfos365 states that IX is the world’s first platform featuring "Multi-Beamformer, 2-Wege-Signalverarbeitung und dynamische Konversationsanhebung."¹
*¹Multi-Beamformer, 2-Way Signal Processing, and dynamic Conversation Enhancement.*
German Marketing Director Marco Küchler stated: "Die Kraft von Unterhaltungen entfaltet sich ja nicht allein dadurch, Gespräche besser verfolgen zu können, sondern selbst daran teilzuhaben" (The power of conversations unfolds not just through better tracking of dialogues, but through participating in them oneself).

English Scientific Publications
Signia’s collection of English white papers comprehensively details the IX platform’s technical aspects. These publications cover the working principles of RealTime Conversation Enhancement technology, clinical study results, and comparative performance analyses.

Turkish Resources and Evaluations
Evaluations by Turkish audiologists and distributors refer to the platform’s technology as "Gerçek Zamanlı Konuşma Geliştirme" (Real-Time Conversation Enhancement). Uzman İşitme Cihazları highlights the platform’s "better hearing in dynamic situations" capability. In the Turkish market, Active Pro IX is promoted as a "hearing aid in headphone form" emphasizing "Signia’s revolutionary Real-Time Conversation Enhancement technology."

Limitations and Criticisms
Technical Limits
Cardiff Hearing experts note that the Silk Charge&Go IX model is suitable "for users who already hear well in noise and only need a slight volume increase," but may be limited for severe hearing losses.

Battery and Charging Issues
Battery life in some models may not meet expectations under intensive Bluetooth use. For example, Bluetooth Classic usage in the BCT IX model consumes more energy.

Price and Accessibility
As a premium technology platform, IX models occupy a higher price segment and may not be accessible to all user profiles. Signia’s offering of different technology levels (3, 5, 7) partially addresses this issue.

Platform Significance and Position in Signia’s Product Portfolio
The Signia Integrated Xperience platform represents the company’s largest technological leap since Augmented Xperience. As German Geschäftsführer (Managing Director) Christian Honsig stated: "IX ist für mich nach e2e und dem Deutschen Zukunftspreis 2012 die größte Innovation" (For me, IX is the biggest innovation since e2e and the 2012 German Future Prize).

Position in the Industry
The IX platform is viewed as the first comprehensive solution for the "cocktail party problem" pursued for 50 years. With its multi-speaker tracking and real-time conversation enhancement, it holds a unique position in the industry.

Laying Groundwork for Future Innovations

  • AI Integration: IX’s multi-stream architecture provides a strong foundation for future AI algorithm integration. Development of machine learning-based adaptive noise cancellation and real-time audio processing is anticipated.

  • Cloud-Based Services: WS Audiology’s experience with cloud-based fitting software (e.g., Widex Compass Cloud) suggests IX could expand with cloud-supported features.

  • Auracast and LE Audio: The platform is future-ready for Auracast broadcast technology, enabling hearing aids to receive direct audio streams in public venues (theaters, cinemas, conference halls).

Sector Impact and Competition
IX’s success is expected to drive other manufacturers to develop similar multi-speaker tracking technologies, potentially making group conversation performance a standard industry requirement.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the Signia Integrated Xperience platform is not merely a technical advancement but a comprehensive solution enabling transformative improvements in hearing aid users’ social lives. It sets new industry standards while establishing a robust foundation for future hearing technologies.