What’s New in Hearing Aids?

Like all technology, hearing aids are ever changed. Manufacturers like ReSound, Phonak and Signia are continually working to improve how hearing aids work and enhance the experience of every user. Here is a summary of what’s happening with each. Contact us today for a FREE test and consult to discuss what might work best for you and your hearing loss.

ReSound Sensia is a premium family of hearing aids designed primarily to improve speech understanding in noisy environments. It uses AI-driven sound processing and multiple microphones to automatically adapt to changing listening environments. This family offers the world’s smallest AI hearing aid.

Key features:

• AI-powered noise reduction: Sensia uses AI-driven deep neural network (DNN) technology to reduce distracting background noise and bring speech forward.
• Automatic environmental adjustment: Its AcoustIQ technology continuously monitors the surrounding sound environment and adjusts settings in real time.
• Four-microphone beamforming: Four synchronized microphones help focus on sounds in front of the wearer, which is intended to make conversations easier to follow in noisy settings.
• Multiple styles: The Sensia family includes receiver-in-ear (RIE), custom in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-canal (CIC), and CROS/BiCROS options for people with single-sided hearing loss.
• Rechargeable options: Rechargeable models include the microRIE, as well as certain custom ITE and ITC models. Other RIE models use disposable zinc-air batteries.
• Bluetooth and Auracast: Sensia supports Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast on compatible devices, allowing audio to be streamed directly to the hearing aids.
• Smartphone app: The ReSound Smart 3D app allows users to personalize their listening experience, manage settings, connect to Auracast broadcasts, and access remote support where available.
• Water and dust resistance: The devices are IP68-rated and have a protective nanocoating.
• Battery life: Rechargeable Sensia models can provide up to 30 hours of use; 20 hours when streaming 50% of the time.

In simple terms: ReSound Sensia is designed for people who particularly struggle to understand speech when there is background noise, such as in restaurants, social gatherings, or other busy environments. Its main approach is to automatically identify the listening environment, focus microphones toward relevant sounds, and use AI-based processing to make speech more prominent. All this in the smallest, most discreet package.

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Phonak Infinio Ultra is a family of rechargeable hearing aids designed to provide adaptive sound processing, speech clarity, and broad Bluetooth connectivity. The Infinio Ultra family includes the Infinio Ultra R and the more specialized Infinio Ultra Sphere, which is designed particularly for understanding speech in challenging, noisy environments.

Key features:

• AI-powered sound processing: Infinio Ultra R uses AutoSense OS 7.0, which uses machine learning to identify the surrounding sound environment and automatically adjust the hearing aids.
• Spheric Speech Clarity 2.0: The Ultra Sphere model uses a dedicated DEEPSONIC AI chip to separate speech from background noise. It is designed to identify and enhance speech from multiple speakers and from different directions, rather than primarily focusing on speech directly in front of the wearer.
• Designed for noisy environments: Phonak reports that Infinio Ultra Sphere can improve speech understanding in challenging environments and cites a reduction in listening effort of up to 35% in its referenced research. These are manufacturer-reported results and may vary between users.
• Multiple hearing-loss levels: The Infinio Ultra R and Sphere models are intended for people with mild to profound hearing loss, depending on the specific receiver and configuration.
• Rechargeable: Infinio Ultra models are rechargeable. Phonak states that the Ultra Sphere can provide up to 56 hours of battery life, while the Ultra R provides up to approximately 31 hours, depending on the model and usage. Streaming can affect battery duration.
• Universal Bluetooth connectivity: The devices can pair with up to eight Bluetooth devices, with two able to remain connected simultaneously. They support streaming, hands-free calls, and connection to smartphones and tablets.
• EasyGuard domes: Compatible EasyGuard domes are designed to help protect the receiver from earwax and simplify hearing-aid maintenance.
• Roger compatibility: Infinio Ultra works with Phonak Roger technology, which can transmit speech directly to the hearing aids and provide additional support in noisy environments or over distance.
• myPhonak app: Users can connect the hearing aids to the myPhonak app for device management and personalization.
• Other hearing features: Depending on the technology level, features include SpeechSensor, Speech Enhancer, Dynamic Noise Cancellation, StereoZoom 2.0, Motion Sensor Hearing, UltraZoom, SoundRecover2, Tinnitus Balance, and tap controls. Not every feature is available at every technology level.
• CROS compatibility: The Infinio family includes CROS solutions for people with hearing loss that is unaidable in one ear.

In simple terms: Phonak Infinio Ultra is designed to automatically adapt to different listening situations while providing strong connectivity and rechargeable convenience. The Ultra Sphere version is particularly focused on difficult listening situations where several people are talking or speech is coming from different directions. Its dedicated AI processing is intended to separate speech from surrounding noise and make conversations easier to follow.

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Signia Pure Charge&Go is a family of rechargeable receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids built on Signia’s Integrated Xperience (IX) platform. The main focus is on improving speech understanding during dynamic conversations, particularly in noisy group environments, while also providing extensive smartphone and Bluetooth connectivity. The family now includes Pure Charge&Go IX models and the newer Pure Charge&Go BCT IX, which adds Bluetooth Classic connectivity.

Key features:

• RealTime Conversation Enhancement: Signia IX technology continuously analyzes the acoustic environment, identifies voices in a conversation, and adapts the amplification as the conversation changes. Signia describes the system as analyzing, augmenting, and adapting the sound environment in real time.
• Multi-stream processing: The system is designed to follow multiple speakers rather than concentrating only on a single speaker directly in front of the wearer. This is particularly relevant for group conversations in background noise.
• Speech in noise: Signia reports that its IX technology produced a 22% improvement in speech understanding in noisy group conversations compared with a competitor in a 2024 manufacturer-sponsored study. This is a Signia-reported result and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed outcome for an individual wearer.
• Own Voice Processing 2.0: OVP 2.0 is designed to make the wearer’s own voice sound more natural and comfortable while wearing the hearing aids.
• Rechargeable design: Pure Charge&Go models use rechargeable batteries and can be paired with a portable charging case. The portable charger can provide up to three additional full charges, depending on the model and usage.
• Bluetooth connectivity: The family supports several connectivity standards, including Made for iPhone (MFi), Android ASHA, and Bluetooth LE Audio. The newer Pure Charge&Go BCT IX additionally supports Bluetooth Classic, expanding compatibility with Bluetooth devices.
• Long battery life: Signia states that the Pure Charge&Go BCT IX provides up to 36 hours of runtime on one charge, including up to 5 hours of streaming. Actual battery life varies with hearing settings and streaming use.
• Signia Assistant: The Signia Assistant provides AI-based support for sound adjustments and troubleshooting. It can help personalize the hearing experience in real time, while hearing-care professionals can remain involved in the fitting and adjustment process.
• Signia app: The Signia app allows users to personalize and control aspects of their hearing experience, including listening adjustments and access to the Signia Assistant.
• Compact RIC design: Pure Charge&Go is designed as a relatively small, discreet RIC hearing aid, with a tactile push button and different model options within the family.
• CROS compatibility: Signia also offers CROS versions of the Pure Charge&Go platform for people with untreatable hearing loss in one ear, allowing sound from the poorer-hearing side to be transmitted to the hearing aid on the better-hearing side.
• Charging options: In addition to the portable charger, Signia offers a standard desktop charger and a Dry&Clean charger that can clean and dry compatible hearing aids while charging.

In simple terms: Signia Pure Charge&Go is designed especially for people who want to remain engaged in active, changing conversations rather than simply hearing a single person speaking in front of them. Its key technology continuously tracks the conversational environment and adjusts the hearing aids as speakers and background noise change. Rechargeability, smartphone connectivity, and the Signia Assistant add convenience and personalization.

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No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

References

Resound. (n.d.). ReSound SENSIA. https://www.resound.com/en-ca/hearing-aids/resound-hearing-aids/resound-sensia

Phonak. (n.d.). Phonak: Life is on. https://www.phonak.com/en-ca

Signia. (n.d.). Pure Charge&Go X. https://www.signia.net/en-ca/hearing-aids/multi-adaptive-xperience/pure-charge-go-max/