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MDHearingAid Neo XS vs. Signia Silk X

Check out our comparison of the MDHearingAid Neo XS vs Signia Silk X. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Score
2.8
MDHearingAid Neo XS
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MDHearingAid

Neo XS

SoundScore 2.5/5
$397 per pair
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Signia Silk X 7X
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Signia

Silk X 7X

$3,998 per pair
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Neo XS
$397 per pair
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Silk X
$3,998 per pair
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Product Overview

Neo XS
Silk X
Form Factor
Form FactorThis type of custom-fitted hearing aid is mostly hidden inside the ear. In people with smaller ear canals this type of hearing aid may not be possible. This type of aid is often fitted without directional microphones or telecoils.
Form FactorNon-custom device that typically sits completely inside the ear canal. Some of the device may be visible to the naked eye.
Expert Rating
Score
2.8
N/A
User Rating
—
2.46 reviews
Hearing Loss LevelHearing Loss LevelThis represents HearingTracker's best guess on suitability. Please consult a licensed audiologist to confirm your own candidacy for this device.
MildModerate
MildModerate
Product Features
Rechargeable
—

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

Neo XS
Silk X

HearingTracker Score

Neo XS
2.8BELOW AVERAGE

Neo XS is an instant-fit in-ear OTC hearing aid that offers improvements in MDHearing's product line in terms of rechargeable battery life, audio processing, and size. However, our lab testing found its performance underwhelming.

Read full review
Silk X

Not yet rated by our experts

HearAdvisor SoundScore

Neo XS
2.5BELOW AVERAGE

MDHearing Neo XS achieved a SoundScore of 2.47/5 and a SoundGrade of C in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #47 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

Silk X

Not yet rated by our experts

Build Quality

Neo XS
3.8BELOW AVERAGE

Neo XS do not have an ingress rating but they appear to be well built. The charging case feels sturdy and should offer good protection when Neo XS are recharging or otherwise not in use.

Silk X

Not yet rated by our experts

Battery

Neo XS
4.0AVERAGE

Neo XS offers internal rechargeable batteries lasting up to 18 hours. This should be enough to get you through your day without needing a recharge.

Silk X

Not yet rated by our experts

Comfort

Neo XS
3.5BELOW AVERAGE

Neo XS are relatively comfortable in ear. However, using the button caused minor discomfort as it required some force which pushed the hearing aid deeper into my ear.

Silk X

Not yet rated by our experts

Design

Neo XS
4.0BELOW AVERAGE

Neo XS are smaller than other MDHearing aids and many OTC products. If you are interested in discrete hearing aids Neo XS are nearly invisible in your ears.

Silk X

Not yet rated by our experts

Value

Neo XS
3.3BELOW AVERAGE

MDHearing Neo XS has a value score of 3.4/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Silk X

Not yet rated by our experts

Handling

Neo XS
3.0BELOW AVERAGE

Neo XS are relatively small hearing aids which may be difficult for individuals with vision and or dexterity issues. This should not be a problem for most but MDHearing does offer assistance from licensed professionals if needed.

Silk X

Not yet rated by our experts

Pro Support

Neo XS
2.0BELOW AVERAGE

MDHearing does not offer in-person support or remote programming. You do however receive free lifetime phone and online help from their licensed hearing professionals. This is a nice offering especially if you are new to hearing aids.

Silk X

Not yet rated by our experts

Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

Neo XS
Silk X
Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Neo XS
Silk X

Lab recordings not yet available

Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Neo XS
Silk X

Lab recordings not yet available

HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.

Accessories

Compatible accessories for each hearing aid

Neo XS
Silk X
CROS System
None

CROS Silk X

Remote Control
None

miniPocket

Enables push-button remote control of hearing aid functions.

Signia App+2

The Signia App provides a remote control, directional hearing control, telecare access, and access to connectivity and streaming settings.

Hardware

Neo XS
Silk X
Disposable BatteriesDisposable BatteriesCommon disposable batteries last anywhere from a few days to two weeks or more. For more information Google "how long do hearing aid batteries last" and click on the Hearing Tracker link.
No
10
Push ButtonPush ButtonThe hearing aid features a push button which allows toggling across different sound processing programs
  • Program control
  • Volume Control
No
Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable BatteriesCharge your batteries overnight in a docking station and get a full day's use (in most cases) of battery life the following day.
Lithium-ion
No

Software Features

Neo XS
Silk X
Adjustment BandsAdjustment BandsThese are frequency-divided sections that can be adjusted in a hearing aid in order to amplify sounds. Although there are rarely more than 10 frequencies measured in a hearing assessment, having more bands that can be adjusted may allow for improved speech understanding and user comfort.
No
20
Adjustment SynchronizationAdjustment SynchronizationThis feature allows for a more pleasant listening experience by ensuring that both hearing aids process sound the same way. If one hearing aid changes its processing in response to noise or speech, it will send a wireless signal to the other hearing aid so both process sound in the same way.
No
Ultra HD e2eUltra HD e2eUltra HD e2e providers a continuous full-bandwidth audio exchange. This powers OVP, beam-forming directionality, hearing aid adjustment syncing, and more.
DirectionalityDirectionalityDepending on the types and number of microphones a hearing aid has, the hearing aid may be able to boost sounds from specific directions (by reducing sounds from other directions). This can be helpful to focus on a speaker directly in front of the hearing aid user, as well as to give the user information about where different sounds are coming from.
No
Yes
Echo ReductionEcho ReductionThis feature improves speech audibility by reducing the “blurring” of speech sounds that can occur in the presence of echoes.
No
EchoShieldEchoShieldDedicated program for reverberant environments.
Extended bandwidthExtended bandwidthHearing aid provides amplification at frequencies (pitches) higher than the typical hearing aid.
No
12kHz
Extended Dynamic RangeExtended Dynamic RangeExtended dynamic range typically makes louder sound clearer. This may help with the reproduction of loud music or loud speech in a very noisy environment.
No
Yes
Feedback SuppressionFeedback SuppressionIf any sound amplified by the hearing aid escapes the ear canal, it may reach the hearing aid’s own microphone and cause a harsh whistling noise. Some hearing aids are able to recognize when this feedback occurs and reduce or eliminate it.
Yes
Feedback cancellationFeedback cancellationHigh-speed monitoring and control of feedback risk in individual processing channels.
Frequency LoweringFrequency LoweringUnderstanding certain speech sounds is dependent on the high frequency parts of these sounds. For individuals with high frequency hearing loss, this feature can take high frequency speech information and move it to lower frequencies where it will be audible.
No
Frequency CompressionFrequency CompressionImproves the detection of speech sounds for wearers with reduced high frequency hearing thresholds. Frequency compression is selectively activated based on audiological criteria.
Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)
No
6
Noise ReductionNoise ReductionThis feature uses modern hearing aids’ processing power to examine the incoming sound signal, determine if noise is present and reduce the volume of the troublesome sound to increase comfort.
Yes
Speech and noise management: 7
Processing ChannelsProcessing ChannelsThese are all the frequency-divided sections the hearing aid is able to examine at a single time. The hearing aid uses this information to determine whether the contents of each section are noise, speech, or something else and amplify the sound in each section accordingly.
No
48
Stereo Audio StreamingStereo Audio StreamingSome hearing aids and hearing aid accessories (including iPhones) allow streaming audio in stereo.
No
Direct Streaming: 5/5Direct StreamingSignia Nx hearing aids can be connected directly to Apple devices for phone calls and audio streaming – without additional accessories. With the StreamLine Mic accessory, direct streaming is possible also from Android devices. With the StreamLine TV accessory, high-quality stereo sound can be streamed directly to Nx hearing aids.
Tinnitus ReliefTinnitus ReliefTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.
No
Yes
Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.
No
Sound Clarity: 5/5Sound ClaritySound Clarity provides lifelike sound which covers the full spectrum of wearing situations. Exceptional clarity is achieved with features such as: HD Spatial, extended dynamic range, extended bandwidth, EchoShield, HD Music, eWindScreen™, speech and noise management and feedback cancellation.
Wind Noise ReductionWind Noise ReductionAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.
No
eWindScreen binauraleWindScreen binauralBinaural processing of the audio signal (using Ultra HD e2e) delivers superb performance in asymmetrical wind environments.