Signia, the new hearing aid brand from Sivantos, has unveiled primax, described as the company’s most advanced hearing aid platform to date, and the first technology clinically proven by independent studies to reduce listening effort throughout the day while providing “better than normal” hearing in challenging listening environments like busy restaurants and cocktail settings.*

Signia Ace primax

Signia Ace primax

According to Signia, primax uses the binax platform to provide a binaural experience for ease of listening, and also features new technology, such as SpeechMaster, which is designed to enhance speech in every situation. The company says SpeechMaster is a collection of algorithms that work in concert to achieve less listening effort. It is designed to analyze the acoustic environment and isolate the target speaker from unwanted surrounding noise and other speech. SpeechMaster acts as a conductor orchestrating digital noise reduction, directionality, and amplification.

The new primax line also has HD Music to maximize enjoyment for music lovers and musicians by taking advantage of the high-frequency-enhancing 12 kHz extended bandwidth found in the universal program. It has three dedicated music programs that are designed to enrich the sound quality of music, whether the wearer is listening to recorded music, attending a live concert, or performing music.

Signia Pure prima

Signia Pure primax

EchoShield, which softens echoes for reduced listening effort, is another technology included in primax hearing aids. Available in the reverberant room program, EchoShield analyzes both direct and reflected sounds, and ensures softer reflections are not over-amplified. The effects of reverberation in atriums, hallways, lecture halls, and places of worship are said to be reduced. TwinPhone, which improves phone conversations, is another primax feature, which was designed for mobile phone users who prefer to hold their phones to their ear versus using a hands-free option. It is compatible with all phones, whether Bluetooth®-enabled or not.

For hearing aid users with single-sided deafness, primax includes CROS and BiCROS solutions that are based on e2e wireless™ 3.0, which has low energy consumption. A CROS Pure® transmitter is worn behind the unaidable ear and the audio signal is wirelessly transferred to the primax hearing aid on the other side, thus allowing the wearer to hear sounds from both sides.

“The Signia brand stands for forward-thinking innovation and customer-centered solutions, and primax delivers on all fronts,”  “We know that increased listening effort can lead to listening fatigue. With Signia primax, our customers have access to technology that’s clinically proven to reduce listening fatigue, thus delivering an effortless listening experience for their patients,” said Scott Davis, chief executive officer, Sivantos Inc.

Signia Insio primax

Signia Insio primax

Signia primax technology is available only in hearing aids co-branded Signia and Siemens and will be offered in Pure®, Ace™, Motion™ and Insio™ custom hearing aids in 7px, 5px, and 3px performance levels. Aspire members can order now by visiting the Signia US website or or by contacting their sales representative.

*According to Signia and Sivantos, an independent clinical study in the US has shown that primax provided a significant improvement in ease of listening in demanding listening environments. A methodology using objective brain behavior measures with electroencephalographic data, showed a significant reduction in listening effort for mild to moderate hearing impaired subjects using primax hearing instruments, when applying advanced features SpeechMaster and EchoShield. Two clinical studies have shown that binax provides better than normal hearing in certain demanding environments (University of Northern Colorado, 2014; Oldenburg Horzentrum, 2013). Speech Reception Thresholds (SRT) in cocktail-party situations improved up to 2.9 dB for wearers with mild to moderate hearing loss using Carat binax or Pure binax hearing aids with narrow directionality, compared to people with normal hearing.

Source: Signia, Sivantos