Signia Pure Charge&Go IX Hearing Aid Review

Pure Charge&Go IX hit the market October 2023 and is the latest generation of technology from Signia. I was very impressed with their overall design, sound performance, and app capabilities. However, be sure your hearing provider performs real-ear measurements on your ears to make sure you get the most of IX.

The new Integrated Xperience (IX) platform

Integrated Xperience, or IX for short, is Signia’s latest technology platform. This is the software running inside your hearing aid that handles amplification, directional hearing, noise reduction, and other advanced sound processing features.

Signia IX is built on the company's Augmented Xperience (AX) technology, introduced in May 2021, which uses dual speech processors and binaural beam-forming microphones to process speech and background noise differently. Signia claims this technology, which they call Augmented Focus, creates a clear contrast between the speech and background noise.

So what's new in IX? The headline feature is "RealTime Conversation Enhancement", which Signia claims improves speech clarity in dynamic group conversations further by analyzing directional microphone patterns, or “focus streams”, and presenting the one(s) best for speech to your ears. Other advancements in the IX platform include increased battery life, improved overall sound quality, and the most advanced Signia Assistant to date.

The IX platform is currently available in the Pure Charge&Go IX RIC (receiver-in-canal), Styletto IX Slim-RIC, and Silk Charge&Go IX CIC (completely-in-canal) in a variety of form factors and performance levels. Below, I review the Pure Charge&Go T7, Signia’s highest-tech model, as their new RealTime Conversation Enhancement feature is limited in lower performance levels and is not available in Silk.

Overall comfort

I found Pure C&G IX comfortable and lightweight even while wearing glasses. This is really a testament to the miniaturization of modern hearing aids and Pure IX is no exception. Pure C&G IX are remarkably small given their internal lithium-ion battery, overall capabilities, and telecoil.

Getting setup with IX hearing aids

Pure C&G IX are traditional hearing aids, so you will need to be fit by your hearing care provider. If you haven’t gone through the process before, this generally requires at least three visits for evaluation, fitting, and an initial follow-up. You can expect occasional visits after the initial follow-up for routine maintenance and adjustments.

If you are someone who likes to avoid brick and mortar appointments, you’ll be happy to learn that Signia IX offers virtual visits through their app. Adjustments can be made in real-time directly through your phone, while video chatting with your hearing provider, in the comforts of your home.

While demoing this feature with Signia, I found it similar to Facetime and much easier to use than a standard Zoom meeting. So those who are technology-averse should have little problems using it. The app also offers lots of personalization while remaining easy to both navigate and use. Continue reading below for a more detailed discussion of the Signia app.

Controlling the Pure Charge&Go IX

You can easily adjust Pure C&G IX with the multi-function rocker switch located on the back of the device. Signia has made the switch more accessible by adding larger protruding buttons and a clear “click” feel when either rocker position is depressed (you will also hear an indication that an adjustment has been made).

Your hearing provider can program the switch to your preferences including functions such as volume adjustments, program changes, streaming on/off, and more. If you are someone who likes having more options, Pure C&G can be programmed to both brief and long (~2 second) button presses expanding the range of controls at your fingertips.

If you prefer wireless control, don’t worry. Signia offers the miniPocket remote control as well as a full featured app providing numerous adjustments from your iOS or Android device. Continue reading below to learn more about this topic.

Power and rechargeability

Pure C&G hearing aids have a reported battery life of up to 39 hours without streaming thanks to the internal lithium-ion batteries. This is a slight improvement over their previous AX generation which offered roughly 36 hours. Other factors such as severity of hearing loss, streaming usage, and the environment can affect the battery life you will experience. For example, Signia indicates the batteries will last up to 34 hours with 5 hours of streaming.

Modern rechargeable hearing aids should last your entire day. Meaning, you can simply charge them overnight when they aren’t in use. If for some reason your batteries are depleted midday, place Pure C&G in your charger and expect 3 to 4 hours wait time. The Pure Portable Charger is dual function offering you an additional 3 full charges if you are on the go.

Own Voice Processing (OVP) 2.0

Own Voice Processing (OVP) is a special feature in some Signia hearing aids that makes your own voice sound more natural to you. Traditional hearing aids amplify all sounds, which can make your own voice sound different or louder than you're used to. With OVP, your hearing aids recognize when you're speaking and adjust the sound accordingly, so your voice feels familiar and comfortable.

The Signia IX line is also "Auracast-ready,” meaning that it will only take a firmware update from Signia to gain access to Auracast broadcast technology.

With OVP 2.0, available in Pure Charge&Go IX, your hearing provider takes a quick "acoustic scan" of your head by having you speak while wearing your hearing aids. After this calibration step, your hearing aids can detect when you're speaking and process your voice separately, ensuring it sounds more natural. All other sounds, like conversations and background noises, are amplified as usual.

Bluetooth wireless audio streaming

Signia Pure C&G IX hearing aids are prepped for the future of wireless audio being compatible with iOS^®, Android™, and standard Bluetooth^® LE devices. You can enjoy your favorite music with audio streaming as well as wireless control with the Signia App. Hands-free calling is also available for iOS users thanks to Signia’s HandsFree Mode, which allows the hearing aid microphones to pick up your voice during calls. If you use Android, you will still need to hold the phone closer to your mouth for clean audio.

Pure C&G is also available as a “T” model which includes a telecoil. Telecoils, or t-coils as they’re often called, can provide you wireless audio at places of worship, theaters, schools, and more where the audio system is appropriately equipped. Here is a great article discussing bluetooth and telecoils if you are not familiar with them. This review is technically of a Pure C&G model equipped with a telecoil however, I did not have the means of trying it during my testing.

If you find yourself struggling with wireless audio, let your hearing provider know so they can tune your streamed audio settings at your next virtual or in-office appointment. Oh, and if you're considering the Silk IX, keep in mind that it does not have the same wireless capabilities with Bluetooth or telecoils.

The Signia App

Sigia’s App is available for download from either the App Store or Google Play for both iOS and Android devices, respectively. Check your phone’s compatibility with IX here. Downloading the app is simple and installation will take roughly a minute with good internet connection. If you run into any problems, Signia offers step-by-step pairing guides along with lots of other useful app information.

You will definitely want to use the Signia App with your IX devices—even if you are not the most tech-savvy person. This is because the app significantly expands your control over the devices and unlocks several features not accessible through the manual rocker-switch previously discussed.

But before we dive into those, the app’s main page provides access to three tabs accessible along the bottom edge of the screen: Volume, Sound balance, and Directional hearing. This is likely where you will spend most of your time as they offer you the greatest control over your hearing aid’s sound. The final tab, Directional hearing, offers you the ability to adjust where your hearing aids are “listening” . Adjustments to this tab override IX’s RealTime Conversation Enhancement focus streams and can even adjust the directionality down to an impressive 15 degrees.

While these tabs offer you considerable personalization of your IX hearing aids, the app also opens the doors to remote care with your hearing provider. Continue reading to learn more about individual features offered within the app.

My WellBeing

My WellBeing is Signia’s answer to fitness tracking and is possible due to built-in motion sensors in the hearing aids. IX goes beyond the basics of step counting by providing information on your overall activity, weartime, and even how active you are during social interactions (this relies on Signia’s Own Voice Processing discussed above). If you like using these metrics for motivation, you will be happy to learn that the app allows you to set your own goals and monitor progress over time.

Signia assured me that all health data is kept private on your phone and neither shared with them nor your provider. Your IX hearing aids must also be connected to the app in order for this feature to work and it updates every 15 minutes, as opposed to continuously, to save on battery life. 

Signia Assistant 

Signia Assistant is an artificial intelligence powered smart-guide for your hearing aids. If you are struggling to hear, open Sigia Assistant and use the simple chat interface to help make adjustments to your hearing aids sound quality in real-time. When you use this feature, you leverage feedback from Signia hearing aid users around the world and contribute to a live “neural network” that is constantly updating and being perfected by people like you. The adjustments made within Signia Assistant are applied to your Universal program and will remain active unless you either change them, reset to default, or make further adjustments with your hearing provider. 

Mask Mode 

Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to the importance of both visual cues and high-frequency clarity while conversing. While we no longer rely as heavily on personal protective equipment, Signia has kept its Mask Mode as people continue to find it useful. Try selecting Mask Mode when you wish to improve speech audibility and focus more on people in front of you.  

Remote Assistance 

Virtual appointments are not for everyone and it is hard to argue with the direct care of an in-person visit. However, many people are learning to love the flexibility and comfort they offer. Remote Assistance within the Signia app affords you this freedom and allows you to contact your hearing provider for nearly any aspect of a typical brick and mortar appointment. Adjustments can be made in real-time and transferred to your hearing aids from the comforts of your car, office, or home. CareChat is also available connecting you and your provider over text or call. 

Lab testing with HearAdvisor™

HearAdvisor is an independent lab that provides objective comparison of prescription, over-the-counter, and hearable devices. All products are tested in two settings which approximate what consumers experience when fit with hearing aids:

• Initial Fit: The Initial Fit programming reflects how a device performs “out of the box” when the recommended settings are used. Volume adjustments may be made depending on the device but real-ear measurements are not performed. HearAdvisor’s Initial Fit aims to reflect the performance most people experience with their hearing aids.  
• Tuned Fit: The second test setting involves professional adjustments, such as real-ear measurements, and optimizing the device’s amplification. This reflects how devices perform when best practices are followed and you are professionally fit by a hearing care provider. 

Overall performance

HearAdvisor’s testing supports that Signia C&G IX can improve your ability to hear speech clearly, though real-ear measurements from a hearing care provider are needed to get the most out of your IX hearing aids. 

Speech performance

When objectively tested, Signia Pure C&G IX was found to perform similarly to other flagship receiver-in-canal hearing aids from major manufacturers. The Initial Fit settings offered less amplification than standards would suggest for the hearing loss used. This is common among all devices when relying solely on default recommendations. They will still help you hear speech but there is room for improvement. When Signia Pure C&G IX were professionally programmed using real-ear measurements, they offered considerable speech intelligibility improvements especially in quiet situations. Testing estimated a 50% improvement in word recognition, given the test settings, compared to listening without hearing aids.

Acoustic music quality

I recorded my acoustic guitar through the new Signia IX hearing aids to give you an idea of what the hearing aids sound like when reproducing a live instrument. The hearing aids are setup for a mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Feedback test results

No feedback, or squealing, was present when testing Pure C&G IX. This suggests that the devices are able to accurately detect and stop feedback from occurring even in extreme cases. Your experiences may be different based on factors such as hearing loss, amplification settings, ear tips used, and more.

Own voice sound test results

This metric is similar to others in that it is affected by your ear tip and how well your hearing aid plugs your ear. Based on the ear tip used, Signia IX did not occlude, or plug, the ear resulting in an above average score for prescription devices in this category. You should not therefore experience an exaggerated “boomy” voice quality if your fitting is similar to their test setup.

Streamed music test results

Pure C&G IX streamed audio sound quality is similar to other prescription devices. This is largely influenced by the ear tip used and how well it plugs your ear. Testing revealed that you will still find better sound quality with reputable hearables designed around music reproduction (such as Apple Airpods Pro). However, HearAdvisor testing reflects streamed quality when the devices are optimized for speech clarity—not music. Your hearing care provider should be able to improve upon this if it is of special interest to you.

Fine tuning is needed to get the most out of Pure Charge&Go IX

The biggest drawback I found for Signia’s new Pure C&G IX was the manufacturer programming defaults. This is often called “manufacturer-first-fit” and is Signia’s recommended settings for you based on factors such as age, hearing loss, hearing aid experience, and more. You can think of it as a quick-and-easy way for hearing providers to program your hearing aids.

Unfortunately, research has shown that these defaults are not always trustworthy¹. My experiences with C&G IX was similar and revealed that the default settings offered too little amplification, or gain, for the mild-to-moderate sloping hearing loss I use when testing. This amounted to a comfortable, albeit under-amplified fit, where speech was not as clear as it could have been.

The low amplification provided by Signia's default settings resulted in lower speech performance than expected and amounted to IX scoring worse than Signia's previous AX generation in this category. But before you write-off IX, realize that this is easily corrected for with REM—a process hearing providers should routinely perform. In fact, Pure C&G IX performed very well in the HearAdvisor lab once professionally tuned, scoring competitively to other flagship prescription devices—and providing superior benefit to AX.

In short, the manufacturer first-fit settings across all hearing aid manufacturers should be double-checked by your audiologist with REM. Use this as a PSA to have your provider do so if your last fitting relied on default or purely subjective programming.

Should you buy the Pure IX?

The Pure Charge&Go IX offers the quality and feature set expected of a flagship hearing aid. It builds on their previous AX platform with improvements to battery life, processing capabilities, and more. However, is it worth the upgrade from your current hearing aids to Signia’s latest platform? There is unfortunately no one answer to this and it is recommended that you speak with your hearing provider to weigh the pros and cons of making the switch. It may be possible to demo Signia IX against your current hearing aids to experience first-hand what they may offer you.

As with most new releases, there are various improvements over the previous generation of devices. However, the differences will likely be small for most people and therefore not necessarily worth the upgrade unless your current devices are malfunctioning, several years old, or of poor overall quality.

Where to purchase the Pure IX

Signia Pure C&G IX are traditional hearing aids and they must be purchased through either an audiologist or hearing aid specialist. As noted, this will generally require several appointments for hearing testing and selection of hearing technology, fitting of the selected device(s), and follow-up. Be sure to check for the best deals near you.

What other products should I consider?

All flagship hearing aids from the major manufacturers perform well and can almost guarantee some level of success if programmed properly. The difference between them therefore becomes more specialized around offerings such as fitness tracking, fall detection, and overall style.

If you are interested in Signia IX's feature set, you may also want to consider the Phonak Audeo Lumity. You will find many similarities, such as their remote care, wireless capabilities, app features, and fitness offerings. However, one major difference is the battery life. Phonak Lumity claims to last around 16 hours per charge, which is much less than Pure C&G IX’s 39-hour claim.

Considering objective performance reports from HearAdvisor, both devices performed similarly when professionally programmed for a common mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The biggest difference was observed in their Initial Fit protocols, which correspond to how these hearing aids perform when set to manufacturer-recommended settings (no real-ear measurements or professional tuning). In this case, Signia Pure C&G IX provided less amplification than expected, which hurt speech performance. Remember, hearing providers should always perform objective tests to optimize a hearing aid’s performance on your ears.