By Melanie Hamilton-Basich
Signia, part of WSA, today introduced Signia Multi-adaptive Xperience (MaX), an AI platform that uses four deep neural networks (DNNs) covering four different aspects of sound that work together to deliver a balanced hearing experience in real time, even in noisy environments.
“We know that the biggest unmet need for hearing aid wearers is the ability to fully engage in the dynamic group conversations that happen in noisy, multi-talker environments,” says Jose Alves, head of Signia, in a release. “With Signia MaX, we’ve moved beyond the limitations of one-dimensional AI, unlocking system intelligence that understands the full moment. Acoustic Intelligence represents a new frontier in AI sound processing, fundamentally reimagining what hearing care professionals can offer their patients—and what patients can expect from their hearing aids.”
According to the company, its new Acoustic Intelligence platform gives Signia MaX hearing aid wearers the ability to fully immerse themselves in conversations among several people and other noisy situations because they can hear and understand the full range of sounds around them, instead of missing out on experiences. Signia’s tagline for this technology invites people to take advantage of this functionality to “Live Noisy.”
Acoustic Intelligence
In the past, AI hearing aids have focused on using DNN noise reduction and turning on a directional beam in every noisy situation. But aggressively removing sounds can seem jarring and cause people to miss environmental cues and other sounds and voices they might want to hear, as well as a more natural experience.
Instead, with Signia’s always on Acoustic Intelligence, four DNNs work in concert to continuously analyze different aspects of sound at the same time and determine what the wearer wants to hear to make the best sound processing decisions in real time. Each DNN covers a specific task: speech detection, own voice detection, scene analysis, and noise processing.
These four DNNs are arranged together in such a way that there is no inter-chip communication needed for them to share information, and therefore no resultant inter-system latency that could adversely affect the user’s experience. Engineers involved in the development of Signia MaX say this modular design also allows for additional DNNs to be added in future hearing aid models if new relevant tasks are determined to be beneficial.
And to protect the inner workings, new hearing aids in this line are IP68 rated with new plasma-enhanced coating on internal components.
Core Features of MaX
Acoustic Intelligence powers the core features of Signia MaX.
RTCE (RealTime Conversation Enhancement), which was part of the Signia Integrated Experience (IX) platform, is retained here. It still locates and enhances multiple conversation partners in dynamic group conversation. But it now reportedly processes 75% more data points per second compared to Signia IX.
Own Voice Processing is designed to provide immediate, accurate own voice recognition without any in-clinic calibration. “It’s been a problem having to train on each individual’s own voice during fitting,” acknowledges Barinder Sarna, global senior commercial audiology manager for Signia. “Now it’s available out of the box for every wearer.”
Accurately recognizing a hearing aid wearer’s own voice and adjusting the volume level so it sounds more natural and doesn’t cause the wearer to speak too quietly, helps minimize returns by 30% and increases patient satisfaction, according to Sebastian Best, head of the Audiology Expert Team at WS Audiology. It also just makes conversations that much easier for everyone involved, he says. And with Signia MaX, only one hearing aid is needed to detect the wearer’s own voice.
Ambient Scene Adaptation is designed to move beyond traditional scene classification and fixed listening programs to continuously analyze and adapt to multiple environmental characteristics.
Dynamic Noise Control focuses on understanding what noise is present, where it comes from, and whether the wearer is in conversation, and then adjusts noise reduction appropriately.
For example, it can tell the difference between babble noise and traffic noise. And if it determines based on ambient sounds that the wearer is outside and walking, it can keep the traffic noise at an audible level to maintain safety.
How It Works in the Real World
According to Signia, 97% of wearers perform better with Signia MaX in noisy group conversations compared to key competitors, with MaX also ranking No. 1 in SNR performance in group conversation in noise.
When I was given a chance to test Signia MaX hearing aids with Acoustic Intelligence, it automatically greatly diminished the sound of a nearby jackhammer as I walked down a busy street, better than the omni program, but I could still hear it. I could also clearly hear and understand someone talking directly next to me, and to two people who were part of my group walking in front of me. I could also hear traffic noise as I walked down the street and crossed at a crosswalk, ensuring that if a vehicle began to approach I would hear it and be able to react appropriately to avoid it.
To make it more clear how Signia MaX with Acoustic Intelligence processes sound as compared to a competitor using one-dimensional AI, Signia provided some examples of situations that people often encounter.
Talking with Friends:
Signia MaX with Acoustic Intelligence:
Analysis: multiple conversation partners, own voice, babble noise, indoor environment
Action: track and enhance conversation partners, own voice reduced, increased noise reduction
Outcome: wearer contributes to the conversation
As compared to
One-dimensional AI from competitor:
Analysis: noise above threshold
Action: maximize DNN noise reduction, turn directional beam on
Outcome: wearer struggles to keep up
Waiting in Lively Restaurant
Signia MaX with Acoustic Intelligence:
Analysis: no external speakers, wearer not speaking, babble noise, indoor environment
Action: balanced noise reduction for comfort
Outcome: wearer immersed in environment
As compared to
One-dimensional AI from competitor:
Analysis: noise above threshold
Action: maximize DNN noise reduction, turn directional beam on
Outcome: wearer experiences isolation from environment
While these scenarios are merely examples, they demonstrate the differences in approach between “four-dimensional” Signia MaX and “one-dimensional” DNN, and the differences in the possible outcomes.
According to the company, by combining this integrated AI processing with Signia’s ultra-fast ear-to-ear technology, the MaX platform also helps ensure both hearing aids remain continuously synchronized as the listening environment changes. This, they explain, allows Acoustic Intelligence to operate as a coordinated binaural system, supporting faster, more consistent sound processing decisions across both ears in real time.
Engineers I spoke with who developed the system refer to this synchronization as “one brain” acting for the user. Systems on the two hearing aids are always talking to each other, they explain, with fast attenuation on both sides. Binaural syncing would not be possible with a co-processor design.
The platform is also powered by the new Signia MaX chip, which Signia says delivers 54x more processing power than previous generations; 50% greater energy efficiency for all-day, always-on performance; and 2x the memory required for continuous real-time analysis.
“The Signia MaX chip is there with you all day for continuous sound adaptation and system-level enhancement and sound processing,” says Samra.
Signia Pure C&G MaX
The Pure C&G MaX receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid will be the first hearing aid available on the Signia MaX platform. Available in eight color options, the Pure C&G MaX, a new version of the Pure Charge&Go, is designed to suit a range of wearers’ lifestyles.
It ships with a pocket-size portable charger that stores up to four full charges, provides a full charge in four hours, and delivers up to six hours of runtime from just 30 minutes of charging, according to the company.
The Pure C&G MaX RIC also features OneConnect Technology, which supports all possible currently available forms of connectivity: Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth LE Audio, telecoil, and Auracast connectivity. Full Auracast functionality will be enabled via a firmware update delivered through the Signia One app by March 2027.
Signia MaX will be available in several key markets, including the U.S., Germany, and the Nordics, on August 24. The majority of remaining markets will follow later in 2026.
For more information about Signia MaX, visit the Signia website.
