Philips HearLink 9050 vs. Signia Active Mini IX

Check out our comparison of the Philips HearLink 9050 vs Signia Active Mini IX. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Philips HearLink 9050 miniRITE
Add Product
Featured Products
$1,599.99 per pair
Shop Now ↗
Score
4.3
Signia Active Mini IX 7 IX
Add Product
Featured Products
SoundScore 4.5/5
—
Read our review
HearLink 9050
$1,599.99 per pair
Shop Now ↗
Active Mini IX
Review

Product Overview

HearLink 9050
Active Mini IX
Form Factor
Expert Rating
N/A
Score
4.3
User Rating
3.619 reviews
—
Hearing Loss Level
MildModerateSevere
MildModerate
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidIP68

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

HearLink 9050
Active Mini IX

HearingTracker Score

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

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.

Read full review

HearAdvisor SoundScore

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
4.5EXCELLENT

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.

Build Quality

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
4.9EXCELLENT

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.

Battery

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
3.8AVERAGE

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.

Bluetooth

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
5.0EXCELLENT

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.

App Features

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Comfort

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
4.8EXCELLENT

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.

Design

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Value

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
3.3BELOW AVERAGE

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

Handling

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
4.8EXCELLENT

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.

Pro Support

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Active Mini IX
5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

HearLink 9050
Active Mini IX
Busy Cafe
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050

Lab recordings not yet available

Active Mini IX
Quiet Office
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050

Lab recordings not yet available

Active Mini IX
Streaming Music
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050

Lab recordings not yet available

Active Mini IX

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

HearLink 9050
Active Mini IX
Battery Charger

Charger Plus miniRITE+1

A fast, portable charger for traveling light and charging on the go. Charge for a full day's power in 1 hour or get 4 hours of use from a quick 15-minute charge.

HearLink desk charger

A faster contact charger for a full day’s power in one hour, or up to four hours of hearing in only 15 minutes.

None
Bluetooth Streamer
None

StreamLine Mic+2

A wireless clip-on mic that streams audio to hearing aids from any Bluetooth device.

Remote Control

AudioClip+3

The Philips AudioClip is a hearing aid accessory that serves as a remote microphone to help you better hear one-to-one conversations in noisy environments or when listening to someone speak from a distance.

Remote Control

To turn the volume up and down on your hearing aids you can use the Philips HearLink app. In case you prefer using the Philips Remote Control we have this option as well.

HearLink 2 app+2

App allows you to change programs, adjust the volume, mute your hearing aids, activate streaming options and personalize your sound. You can also use the app to connect with your hearing care specialist if you need to have your hearing aid settings adjusted remotely.

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.

TV Streamer

TV Adapter

Connect the Philips TV Adapter to your TV so you hear the sound from the TV directly in your hearing aids. This allows you to watch TV at your preferred volume.

TV Sound+1

The Signia TV Sound is a high-quality stereo audio streaming device designed to deliver clear TV audio directly to Bluetooth-enabled Signia hearing aids. It connects to a TV via an analog or optical cable and requires a USB power source. Pairing is simple—users turn on the device, restart their hearing aids, and place them within 20 cm to establish a connection. Once paired, audio streaming can be controlled via the Signia app, allowing users to start, pause, and adjust the volume effortlessly. This device enhances the TV listening experience for Signia hearing aid users by providing direct, latency-free sound transmission.

Hardware

HearLink 9050
Active Mini IX
Accelerometer
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth® Audio
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Bluetooth® Auracast™
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
Gyroscope
Yes
No
Hands-Free Calling
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
IP Rating
IP68
IP68
Push Button
  • Program control
  • Volume Control
  • Mute control
  • Power on/off
  • Call accept/reject
  • Tinnitus volume
  • Airplane Mode
No
Rechargeable Batteries
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Tap Controls
  • Accept/end calls
  • Accept/end calls
Telecoil
Yes
No

Software Features

HearLink 9050
Active Mini IX
Adjustment Bands
Yes
20
Adjustment Synchronization
No
e2e wireless 4.0
AI Noise Removal
AI Noise Reduction
No
Audio Stream Mixer
No
Adaptive Streaming Volume
Better Ear Focus
Yes
No
Direction Selection
No
Spatial ConfiguratorSpeech Focus
Directionality
No
Adaptive DirectionalityAutomatic DirectionalityBinaural DirectionalitySpatial SpeechFocus
Ear Simulation
3 options
TruEar 360
Echo Reduction
No
Auto EchoShieldReverberant Room Program
Environmental Adaptation
No
Conversation Dynamics AnalyzerConversation Source AnalyzerRealTime Conversation Enhancement5/5
Extended bandwidth
10kHz
12kHz
Extended Dynamic Range
Yes
Yes
Feedback Suppression
Yes
Feedback cancellation
Frequency Lowering
Yes
Frequency Compression
Handling noise reduction
Yes
No
Listening Programs
4
6
Machine Learning
No
Signia Assistant
New User Adaptation
Yes
Acclimatization Manager
Noise Reduction
No
SoundSmoothing™: 3
Own Voice Comfort
No
OVP™ 2.0
Processing Channels
64
48
Soft Speech Boost
Yes
No
Spatial Awareness
4 options
No
Spatial Noise Cancellation
Yes
No
Streaming Bass Boost
Yes
No
Sudden Loud Noise Reduction
SoundProtect Transient Noise Reduction: 6 options
No
Tinnitus Relief
Tinnitus SoundSupport
Notch TherapyOcean Waves Therapy Signal4Static Therapy Signal20/5Tinnitus Relief
Unique Amplification Strategy
SoundGuideSoundMap 3Speech Clarifier5 options
Advanced Focus Streams3Augmented Focus™Conversation Booster5/5Dynamic Soundscape Processing 3.05/5Focus Stream1Speech & Noise ManagementSpeechStabilizerSurrounding Stream1
Wind Noise Reduction
SoundProtect Wind Noise Management
eWindScreen binaural