Fortell AI Hearing Aids vs. Signia Active Mini IX

Fortell delivers the best background-noise performance we've seen, but its aggressive processing, lack of Android connectivity, and limited in-person clinic network are important tradeoffs.

Signia Active Mini IX earned a 4.2/5 score and an A SoundGrade in our lab testing. See how the compact earbud-style prescription hearing aid performed.

Fortell AI Hearing Aids achieved a SoundScore of 6.0/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.

Signia Active Mini IX achieved a SoundScore of 4.5/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #14 of 39 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.

Fortell AI Hearing Aids feel well built, though their IP54 rating offers less water and debris resistance than many prescription hearing aids, which commonly carry a higher IP68 rating. As with any hearing aid, regular cleaning and proper care will help keep them performing well over time.

Active Mini IX has an IP rating of 68, meaning it has excellent protection against dust and moisture. This is consistent with my hands-on testing which suggested it is built well and will hold-up to daily use.

Fortell states that its hearing aids last around 24 hours per charge in the default All-day AI mode, so they should easily last a full day even if you rely heavily on the more processing-intensive “All voices” or “Front voices” programs.

Active Mini IX have a reported battery life of 21 per charge. While this is less than Active Pro IX, it should be enough to get most people through their day without needing to recharge.

While Fortell AI Hearing Aids support hands-free calling and audio streaming on iOS devices, they currently do not support Android, and the company has not announced a timeline for Android compatibility.

Signia Active Mini hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing for audio streaming and hands-free calling (iOS and LE Audio). The audio streaming quality could be better, especially during phone calls where I noted frequent artifacts and drop outs.

The Fortell app offers useful controls for volume, a 3-band EQ, and several AI listening modes. While I found it easy to use and sufficiently flexible, it is more limited than many competing apps, with no tinnitus features, health tracking, or other extras.

Signia's hearing aid app stands out with its user-friendly interface and modern, appealing design. It includes practical features like the ability to control the focus of your hearing aids and a mask mode to enhance speech clarity. Additionally, the app offers wellness features, utilizing hearing aid motion sensors for activity tracking.

I found Fortell AI Hearing Aids comfortable and similar in fit to other prescription receiver-in-canal hearing aids. Although the body is slightly larger than many competing devices, it should fit comfortably behind most ears without interfering with glasses or causing retention issues. Your provider can help you fine-tune your fit in office.

I found the instant-fit comfort and retention of Active Mini good. Your hearing care provider can demo various ear tips to find the best fit for your ears and hearing needs.

Fortell AI Hearing Aids use a familiar receiver-in-canal design with a slightly larger body than many other "micro" prescription devices. However, they remain fairly discreet behind the ear. Several colors are currently available with more to come later in 2026.

Active Mini take the aesthetic of Active Pro a step further with an even smaller earbud design. This can be highly desirable if you are looking for an instant fit hearing aid and Signia gives you several color options to choose from.

Fortell AI Hearing Aids has a value score of 3.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Signia Active Mini IX has a value score of 3.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

I found Fortell AI Hearing Aids easy to use and comparable to other receiver-in-canal devices. The app, charging case, and physical buttons all worked well, making day-to-day handling straightforward and giving me easy access to the controls I needed.

Active Mini IX worked great in my testing with the only real issue involving occasional difficulty placing them properly into the charging case (the magnetic pins could be stronger). Additionally, I wish Active Mini and Pro IX offered tap controls to accompany their streaming capabilities.

Fortell AI Hearing Aids are professionally fit and supported, but access is currently more limited than with major prescription hearing aid brands. In-person care is available in only a handful of major metropolitan areas, though additional clinics are planned. Fortell also offers fully remote care across 30 states, which expands access considerably for those comfortable with telehealth.

You should receive quality hearing care and support from your provider. The Signia App should enhance your experience with AI assistance and user-friendly virtual appointments, given your provider offers telehealth services.