Can you hear me?
Hearing aid company Signia has launched two new hearing aids, the Active and Active Pro. The wireless buds resemble truly wireless earbuds of the sort Samsung, Jabra and others sell, but unlike those, Signia’s still require fitting from a professional audiologist.
Despite how useful they can be, many people are embarrassed to be seen wearing hearing aids. Some worry they make them look weak or old, and many people who actually need hearing aids wait years before getting them. The problem’s compounded by the fact most people lose their hearing gradually, rather than suddenly.
Because they don’t look like hearing aids, Signia’s Active and Active Pro could help overcome the stigma surrounding hearing loss and encourage those who need assistance to get it sooner than they might otherwise.
Signia Active Pro earbuds take user-friendly design and bundle it with cutting-edge Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT), like Signia’s own “Xperience YourSound” feature that helps isolate human speech in crowded environments. The buds are also able to pick up sound coming from behind masks, which is particularly useful during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The hearing aids are Bluetooth-enabled and can be charged wirelessly, which takes five hours for a full charge. Or users can charge them via USB-C in three hours. They also come equipped with AI, which can help users fine-tune settings according to their needs. Users can pair them with their smartphones and use them for calls or media too.
The Signia Active costs £999 (~$1,383) while the Pro model is priced at $1,980. Though that’s far more than a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds, it’s about par for high-end hearing aids. Plus, that’s a small price to pay for the ability to enjoy your favorite music or a movie or engage with your friends and family.