Yes — Active Pro IX scored 3.0/5 in HearAdvisor's tuned-fit lab testing for speech in noise, compared to 2.6/5 for Silk IX. Both scores are modest in absolute terms, but Active Pro measures meaningfully ahead.
Signia Active Pro IX vs. Signia Silk Charge&Go IX
Check out our comparison of the Signia Active Pro IX vs Signia Silk Charge&Go IX. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.
Published Updated
Quick Verdict
AI summarizedSummarized with AI assistance from our human-researched product information, in-lab testing, objective sound measurements, and expert ratings.
The real choice here is Bluetooth versus invisibility: Active Pro IX streams audio and takes iPhone calls hands-free for less money, while Silk IX drops wireless streaming entirely in exchange for a nearly invisible completely-in-canal shape.
Active Pro IX
Choose the Signia Active Pro IX if you want Bluetooth streaming and hands-free iPhone calling in an earbud-style design, plus stronger lab-measured speech-in-noise performance (3.0/5 vs 2.6/5), at a lower price than the Silk.
Silk Charge&Go IX
Choose the Signia Silk Charge&Go IX if you want the most discreet, nearly invisible completely-in-canal fit and are willing to give up Bluetooth streaming and hands-free calling entirely.
What actually separates them
AI summarizedWireless streaming and calling
SpecActive Pro IX streams audio and supports hands-free calling on iPhone via Bluetooth; Silk IX has no Bluetooth radio at all, so it offers neither audio streaming nor hands-free calling — a hard limitation for anyone who wants to take calls or stream through their hearing aids.
Speech-in-noise performance
Lab measuredIn HearAdvisor's tuned-fit lab testing, Active Pro IX scored 3.0/5 for speech in noise versus 2.6/5 for Silk IX, making Active Pro the stronger pick for following conversation in background noise.
Value score and price
PriceActive Pro IX costs roughly $950 less per pair and carries a value score of 3.6/5, versus Silk IX's 2.4/5 value score — Silk asks more money for a device that scores below the site-wide value average of 3.6.
Discretion vs visibility
Hands-on reviewSilk IX's completely-in-canal shape is nearly invisible in the ear, while Active Pro IX's earbud-style design sits visibly in the ear, which some buyers will actively prefer and others will want to avoid.
Product Overview
Active Pro IX
Silk Charge&Go IX
Form Factor
Expert Rating
Score
4.5
Score
3.8
User Rating
3.01 reviews
2.45 reviews
Hearing Loss Level
MildModerate
MildModerate
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidIP68
Rechargeable
Expert Ratings
Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.
Active Pro IX
Silk Charge&Go IX
HearingTracker Score
Active Pro IX
4.5EXCELLENT
The Signia Active Pro IX offers the functionality of a high-performance hearing aid in a sleek, earbud-like design, making it ideal for those who value both modern aesthetics and advanced hearing enhancement. Lab tests showed strong performance in speech clarity and music streaming, though its instant-fit design has some limitations, such as reduced feedback handling and lack of custom-fit personalization.
Read full reviewSilk Charge&Go IX
3.8AVERAGE
The Signia Silk Charge&Go IX is a groundbreaking, rechargeable completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. It offers up to 28 hours of battery life, instant fit with soft silicone ear tips, and wireless control via the Signia app, but lacks Bluetooth streaming and can be challenging to handle due to its small size.
Read full reviewHearAdvisor SoundScore
Active Pro IX
4.6EXCELLENT
Signia Active Pro IX achieved a SoundScore of 4.6/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #8 of 39 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.
Silk Charge&Go IX
3.7AVERAGE
Signia Silk Charge&Go IX achieved a SoundScore of 3.7/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #32 of 39 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.
Build Quality
Active Pro IX
4.9EXCELLENT
Active Pro 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.
Silk Charge&Go IX
4.7EXCELLENT
Signia Silk C&G IX have an impressive build quality, featuring a top-of-the-line IP68 ingress rating, which is crucial for nearly invisible hearing aids. They also come with a durable portable charging case.
Battery
Active Pro IX
4.4ABOVE AVERAGE
I love the all-day rechargeable battery life of Active Pro IX. Even with 5 hours of audio streaming, you can expect around 29 hours of user per charge.
Silk Charge&Go IX
4.4ABOVE AVERAGE
Silk IX provide up to 20 hours of use per charge which is exceptional given their extremely small size. Recharging takes up to 4 hours, which is longer than some other models, but this isn't a significant drawback given their all-day battery life.
Bluetooth
Active Pro IX
5.0EXCELLENT
Signia Active Pro hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing for audio streaming and hands-free calling. While streamed audio quality is not the best, I did not run into any issues while testing.
Silk Charge&Go IX
Not yet rated by our experts
App Features
Active Pro 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.
Silk Charge&Go IX
3.4BELOW AVERAGE
While Silk IX hearing aids are not Bluetooth compatible, they still work with Signia's app using high-frequency coded signals. This is a valuable addition, although the communication is less stable than Bluetooth and the app offers fewer features compared to other Signia models.
Comfort
Active Pro IX
4.5EXCELLENT
I found the instant-fit comfort and retention of Active Pro good. Your hearing care provider can demo various ear tips to find the best fit for your ears and hearing needs.
Silk Charge&Go IX
4.5EXCELLENT
I found Silk IX very comfortable for an instant-fit nearly invisible hearing aid. Your hearing care provider should ensure they are fitted for optimal comfort and hearing benefit.
Design
Active Pro IX
5.0EXCELLENT
Active Pro IX have a modern earbud-like look, which may be desirable depending on your preferences, and you can choose among 6 colors.
Silk Charge&Go IX
5.0EXCELLENT
Silk IX is another unique offering from Signia, featuring an instant fit design with silicone ear tips that is nearly invisible. Its extremely small and discreet design may, however, pose challenges for those with limited dexterity and or vision.
Value
Active Pro IX
3.7AVERAGE
Signia Active Pro IX has a value score of 3.7/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
Silk Charge&Go IX
2.9BELOW AVERAGE
Signia Silk Charge&Go IX has a value score of 2.8/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
Handling
Active Pro IX
4.8EXCELLENT
I did not run into any issues while testing Active Pro IX. However, I do wish they offered ear-level controls such as buttons, or tap controls, as it would make the streaming features more user-friendly.
Silk Charge&Go IX
4.0AVERAGE
I did not run into any issues while using Silk IX hearing aids. They are very easy to use once setup by your hearing care provider. Silk also have large color indicators making it easy to distinguish the left from the right hearing aids.
Pro Support
Active Pro 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.
Silk Charge&Go IX
4.0ABOVE AVERAGE
You should receive quality hearing care and support from your provider. The Signia App should further enhance your experience with AI help and remote assistance should your provider offer telehealth services.
Lab Recordings
Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.
Active Pro IX
Silk Charge&Go IX
Busy Cafe
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Active Pro IX
Silk Charge&Go IX
Quiet Office
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Active Pro IX
Silk Charge&Go IX
Streaming Music
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Active Pro IX
Silk Charge&Go IX
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
Active Pro IX
Silk Charge&Go IX
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
Active Pro IX
Silk Charge&Go IX
Accelerometer
Yes
No
Bluetooth® Audio
- Made for iPhone (MFi)
- Android (ASHA)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
No
Hands-Free Calling
- Made for iPhone (MFi)
No
IP Rating
IP68
No
Rechargeable Batteries
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Tap Controls
- Accept/end calls
No
Software Features
Active Pro IX
Silk Charge&Go IX
Adjustment Bands
20
20
Adjustment Synchronization
e2e wireless 4.0
e2e wireless 4.0
Direction Selection
- 5/5
No
Directionality
Binaural DirectionalitySpatial SpeechFocus
Binaural OneMic directionality
Ear Simulation
TruEar 360
No
Echo Reduction
Auto EchoShield
Auto EchoShield
Environmental Adaptation
Conversation Dynamics AnalyzerConversation Source Analyzer5/5RealTime Conversation Enhancement5/5
No
Extended bandwidth
12kHz
12kHz
Extended Dynamic Range
Yes
Yes
Feedback Suppression
Feedback cancellation
Feedback cancellation
Listening Programs
6
6
Noise Reduction
SoundSmoothing™: 3
SoundSmoothing™: 3
Own Voice Comfort
OVP™ 2.0
No
Processing Channels
48
48
Tinnitus Relief
Yes
Yes
Unique Amplification Strategy
Advanced Focus Streams3Augmented Focus™Conversation Booster5/5Dynamic Soundscape Processing 3.05/5Speech & Noise Management5/5SpeechStabilizer
Advanced Focus Streams3Dynamic Soundscape Processing 3.05/5Speech & Noise Management5/5SpeechStabilizer
Wind Noise Reduction
eWindScreen binaural
eWindScreen binaural
Bottom Line
AI summarizedThe Verdict
Active Pro IX is the stronger all-around buy for most people — it costs about $950 less per pair, scored better in lab tests for speech in noise (3.0 vs 2.6/5), and adds Bluetooth streaming and hands-free calling that Silk IX simply doesn't have.
Its value score of 3.6/5 also beats Silk IX's 2.4/5, which sits well below the site-wide value average.
Which is right for you?
Silk IX only makes sense if invisibility is the priority that overrides everything else — you're giving up streaming and hands-free calling, and paying more, purely for the smallest possible footprint in your ear. If discretion isn't your top concern, the tradeoff doesn't favor Silk.
What to ask at your fitting
AI summarizedDecide how much you need streaming
If taking calls or streaming music through your hearing aids matters, that rules out Silk IX outright since it has no Bluetooth radio — raise this before your fitting.
Ask about real-ear measurement plans
Both devices showed feedback and own-voice tradeoffs after professional tuning in lab testing, so ask your provider how they'll balance speech audibility against comfort for your ears specifically.
Try on both shapes if visibility matters
Active Pro IX sits visibly in the ear like a modern earbud while Silk IX is nearly invisible, so ask to see and wear a demo of each before committing to either form factor.