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Signia has introduced Active Mini IX, a new rechargeable, ready-to-wear in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid designed to deliver the company’s Integrated Xperience (IX) technology in a smaller, more discreet form factor.
Active Mini IX is reportedly the world’s smallest ready-to-wear ITE hearing aid with wireless connectivity. Unlike custom in-the-ear hearing aids, the new device is designed for same-day fitting by hearing care professionals without the need for earmold impressions or a custom shell. Signia’s internal research found that 97% of respondents were satisfied with the device’s comfort.
The launch expands Signia’s Active family, which previously included the earbud-style Active Pro IX. In HearingTracker’s lab-based review, Active Pro IX earned a HearAdvisor SoundGrade of “A” and an overall SoundScore of 4.6 out of 5, placing it among the top 10% of prescription hearing aids tested at that time. The review also noted strong speech-in-noise performance.
Where Active Pro IX adopted a more visible, modern earbud-like look, Active Mini IX appears aimed at patients who want a similar instant-fit experience but in an even smaller and more discreet ITE-style device. Like the Active Pro IX, the new Mini model still includes two microphones, enabling access to the full IX platform and its speech-focused processing features.
Active Mini IX includes Signia’s RealTime Conversation Enhancement (RTCE), a core IX feature designed to follow and support multiple speakers as conversations move and change. The system uses directional microphone processing to help emphasize speech in complex listening situations, including group conversations and noisy environments.
Signia says bringing this level of processing into a small, ready-to-wear ITE gives hearing care professionals another option for patients who may reject traditional behind-the-ear style hearing aids or larger earbud-style devices because of appearance, fit, or ease-of-use concerns.
Jose Alves, Head of SigniaDiscreet, ready-to-wear hearing aids have traditionally required trade-offs – whether in performance, connectivity, or comfort. For many patients, those limitations can stand in the way of hearing aid adoption. With Active Mini IX, we’re giving HCPs a new solution that delivers the ultimate balance of performance and discretion in an easy-to-use and ready-to-wear design.
Because Active Mini IX is not custom-made, hearing care providers can fit the device immediately rather than waiting for a custom shell to be manufactured. That may make it useful for first-time hearing aid users, people looking for a quick replacement option, or patients who want to try a more discreet in-ear product without committing to a fully custom device.
The device also works with Signia Assistant, the company’s AI-based app feature that helps users make real-world sound adjustments and can support fine-tuning between office visits. Signia has previously used AI heavily in its user-facing software and app experience; with the IX platform, the company has also emphasized real-time processing for conversation support.
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Active Mini IX offers up to 21 hours of battery life per charge, according to Signia. The rechargeable system also supports fast charging, allowing users to gain several hours of wear time from a short charging session.
The new hearing aid supports wireless streaming for phone calls, music, and other media from compatible iPhone and Android devices. It is also compatible with Signia streaming accessories, including TV Sound and StreamLine Mic.
Active Mini IX is available in Garnet Black, Rose Gold, and Pearl White, and Signia says it will be offered across all performance levels.
The launch of Active Mini IX gives Signia a smaller alternative to Active Pro IX while keeping the same broader concept: a professionally fit, rechargeable, wireless, instant-fit hearing aid for people who may prefer an in-ear device over a conventional receiver-in-canal design.
For clinicians, the device may help fill a gap between larger earbud-style prescription hearing aids and tiny instant-fit options that often sacrifice streaming, directional microphone performance, or advanced speech processing. For patients, the main appeal is likely to be the combination of a smaller ITE design, same-day fitting, rechargeable operation, and access to Signia’s IX speech-enhancement platform.
For more information, please visit the Signia Active Pro IX and Active Mini IX website.
SOURCE: Signia
