Month: April 2025

Signia launched their IX family of hearing aids at the tail end of 2023, which included a collection of receiver-in-canal style hearing aids and also a modular completely-in-canal model. From the Pure Charge & Go, the Pure Charge & Go T IX, the Pure Charge & Go IX CROS, the Silk Charge & Go IX, and last but definitely not least, the Silk Charge & Go IX CROS. But something was missing. In fact, something was missing that we didn’t even know was missing. And you’re about to get the full lowdown now.

Drum roll, please. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Signia Pure Charge&Go BCT IX.

Breaking down the name

“Pure” relates to this being Signia’s receiver-in-canal form factor, which doesn’t replace but is in addition to their EX, T IX, and CROS models.

The “Charge&Go” element means that it’s rechargeable, with a single three-hour charge providing up to 36 hours of battery life.

The “BC” stands for Bluetooth Classic, which is the main focus of this new model, meaning all-around connectivity to any classic Bluetooth device without the current Bluetooth restrictions that come with LE Audio.

“T” means that this tech has a telecoil, which is not so common nowadays, with some manufacturers following the introduction of Auracast technology.

And then finally, “EX” stands for Integrated Experience, which is Signia’s latest platform.

Now, it’s also worth noting that this new hearing aid doesn’t supersede Signia’s previous EX models, but it nicely fills a gap in Bluetooth connectivity, which until now was only achievable with both Phonak and Unitron hearing aids.

Suitability

These hearing aids are suitable for a wide range of hearing losses. And if your audiogram fits within the gray shaded area on any of these images, then they’re technically suitable for you.

Each graph represents different powers of the receiver or speaker, of which your audiologist should technically choose the most appropriate one for you and your hearing loss. So if you have mild, moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss, there is technically an option suitable for you.

Technology levels

Signia is initially releasing this new hearing aid in three different technology levels — the 7X, 5X, and 3X, with the former being the most advanced of the range.

I’ll cover the differences fully in my full review later on in the year when I’ve had the opportunity to test them out.

Speech understanding in background noise

Speech understanding in background noise is the holy grail for anybody with hearing loss. And Signia utilises something called directional beamforming technology in these hearing aids, which, in brief, is when the microphones on your hearing aids work together in a noisy environment and heavily focus on what’s in front of you – all with the goal of avoiding picking up sounds that you’re not looking at, so things that are going on to the side or behind you.

In practical terms, if you’re in a restaurant, for example, they’ll aim to focus on the person opposite, reducing extraneous sounds.

Directional beamforming explained

Whilst this isn’t a new concept, Signia is boasting that they have supercharged these hearing aids and taken them to the next level with their new real-time conversation enhancement technology, which, in their words, “analyses, augments, and adapts to the dynamic flow of conversations.”

How do they do this?

Well, these hearing aids are continually analysing your listening situation, to the tune of measuring 192,000 data points per second – deciding on the most appropriate way for the hearing aids to react, and then delivering the most likely sounds that you want to hear by utilising this adaptive directional beamforming technology.

This means in practice that these hearing aids not only focus their microphones forward when you’re in background noise, but they are also capable of accurately pinpointing multiple moving speakers in real-time conversations and then adapting the microphones to follow these conversations.

Signia claims that with this faster processing, the hearing aids are not only detecting who you’re speaking to, but they’re also monitoring their movement. And, they will lock onto that person speaking in front of you and then update the microphone position 1,000 times per second – tracking and highlighting each person speaking amongst any background noise and then adapting the microphone position to their movement.

Now, Signia has so much confidence in this feature that their research shows 95% of participants in their studies showed an improved performance with this feature enabled. This demonstrated a 12-decibel improvement in signal-to-noise ratio in a simulated noisy group conversation scenario, with 80% of participants preferring real-time conversation enhancement being switched on in a real-world noisy group conversation.

They’ve even done a fair amount of work comparing their hearing aids to the latest technology from other hearing aid manufacturers too – who, in this instance, they’ve chosen not to name – and they can demonstrate a 22% improvement in speech understanding in noise and a 77% improvement in further speech reception tests.

Bluetooth connectivity

Since the dawn of time, Signia has utilised something called LE Bluetooth in their hearing aids. And whilst this was the original way that we saw the first-ever hearing aids connect to a smartphone, it’s flawed in a couple of different ways, especially around functionality with Android devices and non-smartphones.

Whereas the likes of Phonak and Unitron had, until today’s announcement, uniquely utilised something called Classic Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to connect to any Bluetooth source – including regular phones, landlines, smartphones, tablets, and computers.

This integration supports a wide range of audio codecs, ensuring high-quality streaming regardless of the source. It also supports dual streaming, allowing you to connect to multiple devices simultaneously.

When you visit your audiologist, you’ll be able to choose from Signia’s LE Audio model or this Classic Bluetooth model, which makes Signia the only traditional hearing aid manufacturer to give you access to all of their hearing aid features and to have the choice between the two without any compromises.

CROS compatibility

You’ll be delighted to hear that this new hearing aid is also CROS-compatible. This means it will work with the Pure Charge & Go IX CROS system, which is a setup designed for somebody with an unaidable hearing loss in one ear, and either normal hearing or a hearing loss that requires a hearing aid on the other side.

A CROS system is essentially designed as a transmitter that detects any sound that arrives on your poorer-hearing side and then wirelessly transmits that signal to your better-hearing ear, giving you access to the world of sound in 360°. And they can have an incredibly positive impact on people’s quality of life.

For example, if you’re sitting in the passenger seat of a car with your unaidable ear towards the driver, a CROS system would transmit the driver’s voice to a hearing aid in your better-hearing ear, allowing you to be able to hear them.

Water resistance

I’d be disappointed if these hearing aids didn’t have anything other than an IP68 rating, which is pretty much the industry standard nowadays throughout the hearing technology world — although it’s worth mentioning that this doesn’t apply to OTC hearing aids.

This means that they could technically be submerged in a meter and a half of water for 30 minutes, and they should still work without any issues.

Now, please, please don’t go swimming on the back of me saying this while wearing them. However, it does mean that if you get caught in the rain or accidentally jump into the shower, then you don’t need to panic.

Battery power

There’s no question that Signia has the most stylish charger out there, which, in my opinion, has a bit of an Apple-type feel to it. And despite the hearing aids themselves packing a punch of 35+ hours per charge, the pocket-sized case will also give you three extra charges.

So, you can go away for a long weekend and not have to worry about finding a power source.

Trial the Signia Pure Charge&Go BCT IX

The Signia Pure Charge&Go BCT IX and all other Signia hearing aids are available at Harley Street Hearing. Call us or complete our online form to book a consultation.

Signia Just Released What?! The New Pure Charge & Go BCT IX Review Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can watch his review of Signia’s Pure Charge & Go BCT IX below.

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Oticon’s latest update to their Own family of hearing aids has seen a huge AI upgrade, but are they a game-changer or more of the same?

Let’s take a look at what’s new with the Oticon Own SI, what is missing and whether or not this could be the hearing aid that ends your search.

What’s new in the Oticon Own SI?

Oticon’s last custom hearing aid family—the Oticon Own—was released nearly 3 years ago, in August 2022. It included five models, ranging from invisible-in-canal (IIC) to full-shell, all with varying features.

These are custom-made devices, meaning an audiologist takes an impression of your ear so it fits perfectly. However, Oticon has chosen not to replace the entire range this time around. Instead, they’re only updating two models:

1. The Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)
2. The Completely-in-Canal (CIC)

If you’re looking for In-the-Canal (ITC), In-the-Ear (ITE) half-shell, or ITE full-shell, you’ll need to stick with the 2022 versions for now.

So, what makes the Own S different?

It keeps all the size and style benefits of the previous generation, but there are three standout upgrades:

Artificial Intelligence developments

Noise is the enemy for anyone with hearing loss. Oticon claims to lead the pack in improving speech understanding in noise—thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Because there’s not enough room for dual microphones (which help with background noise), Oticon turned to AI as a solution.

Oticon’s new Sirius chip is the heart of this device. It houses a deep neural network, essentially giving your hearing aid its own brain.

This AI has been trained using millions of sound samples, including speech, music, traffic and nature sounds. It learns to distinguish speech (what you want to hear) from noise (what you don’t).

Sudden Sound Stabiliser

But, then what about sudden loud noises which aren’t really noises in the traditional sense but something that my patients often complain about, such as the clattering of emptying the dishwasher or door slamming?

Well, Oticon have developed a feature which consistently monitors the incoming sounds using advanced algorithms, and they’ve named it their Sudden Sound Stabiliser. This is designed to smooth out those sudden loud sounds, so instead of getting a jarring spike in volume, the hearing aid is intelligent enough to adjust the amplification and make it more comfortable before it reaches your ear.

Does it actually work?

Well, in Oticon’s studies they found:

• Up to 5.4 dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement
• 2.7 dB clearer speech vs. the 2022 model

In simple terms: speech should sound more distinct, helping you follow conversations in noisy environments and reducing listening fatigue.

Manufacturer claims should always be taken with a grain of salt. For independent testing, check out HearingTracker.com for unbiased results across multiple brands.

Life inside the ear (IP68 Rating)

Let’s face it: the life of an in-ear hearing aid is… rough. They live in a dark, damp, waxy human orifice. Not ideal for electronics.

Thankfully, the Oticon Own S is rated IP68: Water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, and dust-resistant too.

They’ve achieved this with nano-coating inside and out. Still, I always recommend storing your hearing aids in a drying cup with a drying tablet – no matter the brand.

What’s missing in Oticon Own Sirius?

Now, I don’t just hype the positives—sorry, Oticon—but there are a few downsides you should know:

1. Only for IIC and CIC

The new AI-powered models are only available in the smallest sizes. If you want a larger model, you’re stuck with the older generation—and here’s why that matters…

2. No Bluetooth

No streaming calls, music, TV, or podcasts. If you want Bluetooth, you’ll need to pick an older model.

3. No Telecoil

This would’ve allowed connection to sound sources in theatres, cinemas, and places of worship. It’s not here—likely due to space limitations.

4. No Rechargeable Option

Despite over 90% of my fittings now being rechargeable, Oticon still hasn’t included it in their custom range. You’ll need to change batteries every 3–5 days.

In 2025? That’s a miss. Disposable batteries are just… very 2024.

Oticon OWN Sirius Hearing Aids (2025) – Big AI Upgrade, But THIS is Missing… Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his first look at Oticon Own Sirius video below.

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In a world where inclusivity and accessibility are becoming increasingly important, it’s crucial for us to consider the role we play in creating those inclusive spaces. As audiologists, our role extends far beyond the walls of our clinic, and we have a constant commitment to inclusivity, raising awareness on hearing loss and advocating for the hearing loss community.

This year, it was a privilege to bring back Hear Here for another inspiring hearing loss networking event. Hosted by Harley Street Hearing & Musicians Hearing Services and EY, the event brought together individuals from all walks of life, to connect and share their lived experiences with hearing loss.

The highlight of Hear Here was the truly powerful stories shared by our speakers: Lena Batra, a hearing care and deaf awareness consultant; Ray Hill, a social worker, author and inclusion advocate; and Matt Frost, a musician and audiologist at Harley Street Hearing. Each speaker offered a unique perspective on navigating life with hearing loss, showing resilience and strength in the face of challenges. The stories they shared not only inspired but also sparked important conversations around self-advocacy, community and building more inclusive spaces.

The event also featured exhibitors from the likes of Phonak, Oticon, Widex, MED-EL, Neuromod, TinniSoothe and CityLit, showcasing the latest advancements in hearing technology and tinnitus solutions. The world of audiology is ever evolving, and the industry advancements are truly making a difference in the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss and tinnitus.

By creating spaces where people with hearing loss can share their stories, ask questions and learn from one another, we’re continuing to build a network of support that extends far beyond the walls of an event. It’s through these shared experiences that we can continue to challenge the misconceptions surrounding hearing loss and work toward a more inclusive future.

A huge thank you to our speakers, exhibitors, and everyone who attended and shared their experiences – your participation made Hear Here a truly special event. We’re excited to continue growing this community and working toward a more inclusive future for those with hearing loss.

Here’s to next year – let’s continue to empower, break down barriers and build a more inclusive world for individuals with hearing loss.

If you enjoyed our recent Hear Here event or missed out and would like to be part of the next one, we’d love to hear from you. Simply register your interest by clicking here or by scanning the QR code below. We’ll make sure you’re the first to know about upcoming dates, exciting speakers, and exclusive opportunities to get involved.

We look forward to welcoming you to our next Hear Here event!

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Harley Street Hearing’s Matthew Allsop managed to get an inside look at the groundbreaking Widex Allure platform in this exclusive interview with Widex’s Sonie Harris, at the company’s headquarters in Copenhagen.

Read on as we dive into the five major innovations behind Allure – from enhanced sound quality and real-time AI personalisation to next-gen feedback control.

Kicking things off at Widex HQ

Matthew: Sonie, it’s great to see you. Thank you so much for having me here today in Copenhagen at Widex HQ, talking about all your latest tech. I have to say, I’m exhausted—exhausted from spending the whole day immersed in everything about the new Widex Allure hearing aids.

You’ve got some really exciting stuff, and I think we need to share it with the world over on the Hearing Tracker YouTube channel.

Okay, so—there are some real game-changers here, both for audiologists and for hearing aid users. I’d love for you to talk us through what’s most important.

Helping both the wearer and the provider

Sonie: What’s really important is that we’re bringing solutions that, as you mentioned, not only help the wearer but also support the provider. These solutions are clear, intuitive, and future-ready.

When we talk about that, we mean a hearing device that balances crystal-clear speech with accurate awareness of surroundings—so wearers can feel fully immersed in their environment the way they want to be.

That’s the Widex philosophy. It’s the Widex sound philosophy.

Matthew: I’ve definitely had that drilled into me all day! You’ve got some impressive new features too, right?

Sonie: Yes! Widex Allure is the name of our new platform, and what makes it special is the W1 chip that powers it. It’s incredibly fast and has the memory to support a whole new range of features.

So, it’s not just one standout—we’ve introduced five key features that really meet the needs of the wearer.

Five new features of Widex Allure

Matthew: Let’s hear them all—sorry to put you on the spot!

1. PureSound — Now even More powerful

Sonie: Allure PureSound combines advanced tech like a broadband beamformer for directionality, noise reduction, and feedback management—all while keeping our signature zero-delay processing.

Matthew: PureSound was already great on the Moment platform. But the limitation was that you couldn’t overlay other features on top of it.

Sonie: Exactly! Now you can. Research shows a 4.3 dB improvement in speech-in-noise performance with the Allure PureSound program compared to the previous version.

Matthew: Would you say it’s your “hero feature”?

Sonie: One of them! But it’s really about how all five features work together. It’s not just one star—it’s a full ensemble.

2. Speech Enhancer Pro — Mastering Noise

Sonie: Next up: Speech Enhancer Pro. It builds on our previous tech that kept noise comfortable. Now, we’re adding fast and slow-acting components to better extract speech in noisy environments.

Matthew: That’s why people come in—because they can’t hear well in noise.

Sonie: And it’s compatible with PureSound too, so users don’t have to choose between features anymore.

Matthew: Nice. Another feature you told me about—and I hope I get the name right—is the… Dynamic Feedback Cancellation Controller?

3. Dynamic Feedback Controller

Sonie: Close! It’s called the Dynamic Feedback Controller. It uses adaptive frequency shifting that’s targeted and minimal, which helps reduce whistling without harming sound quality.

Matthew: That’s exciting. Feedback control isn’t something you notice… until it’s not working.

Sonie: Exactly. We call it a “hygiene factor.” A hearing aid shouldn’t whistle. But doing that without hurting sound quality? That’s a big deal.

Matthew: The universal program really stands out too – super adaptive.

4. Smarter Sound Classification

Sonie: Yes! With Allure, we’ve enhanced the sound classification system. It now includes a beat detector to reduce errors—like misclassifying background music and disabling key features.

Now, we still classify across 11 industry-leading sound classes, but with more accuracy—so wearers can just put them in and forget about adjustments.

Matthew: Does that reduce the need for lots of fine-tuning appointments?

Sonie: That’s the goal. We’ve used anonymised cloud data from previous fittings to see which adjustments providers most often make. With that, our new fitting algorithm starts users off closer to their ideal sound—making fittings more seamless.

This can evolve over time, and we’re adding another layer on top: AI.

4. AI for real-time personalisation

Sonie: We’re focused on using AI for real patient benefit.

In the Allure app, we’ve implemented AI that helps wearers fine-tune their hearing aids in real time. It uses global user data to make intelligent suggestions based on what’s worked for others in similar situations.

Matthew: Your AI learns from real-world use, not just presets?

Sonie: Yes! And it runs on the smartphone—not the hearing aid—so we avoid battery drain and keep devices small.

5. Dedicated Streaming Compressor

Sonie: Here’s one more: We’ve separated the streaming compressor from the environmental sound processor. So now, loud surroundings won’t mess with your streaming audio quality.

Matthew: Amazing. So… the big question: When can everyone get this?

Sonie: The global launch was March 19th. Availability depends on the region.

The Widex Allure platform is now available at Harley Street Hearing. If you’re interested in a trial, get in touch with us to book a consultation.

Widex Allure: The BIGGEST Hearing Aid Upgrade of 2025? Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his first look at ReSound Vivia video below.

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Hearing aids are the most effective treatment option for hearing loss but they can take some time to get used to, especially if you’ve never worn them before.

From the physical aspect to the way your brain processes sounds, there are a lot of different factors that come with adjusting to hearing aids.

Whether you’re wearing a hearing aid for the first time or you’ve just upgraded to a new device, this step-by-step guide should help you adjust to it and improve your confidence in wearing it in all listening situations.

1. Understand the adjustment period

With any new hearing aid, there will usually be an adjustment period. Getting used to hearing aids is a journey, not an overnight change and you need to give yourself time to adjust to them.

Not only are you tasked with getting to grips with how they work, but your brain will also need to relearn how to process sounds it might not have heard in a long time. Some sounds might sound strange at first – even the sound of your own footsteps or a loved one’s voice – but that’s completely normal!

The hearing aid adjustment period can sometimes take up to four months until you’re completely used to them, but it may even take longer than this. Everyone is different, and there’s no need to worry if you’re taking a little longer than expected.

2. Wear them at home first

You really can’t beat the comfort of your own home, and this is the best place to try out your new hearing aids. Your home is the perfect low-stress environment as it’s familiar and quiet, and you’ll be able to focus on individual sounds you recognise a lot easier.

Using your hearing aids at home will give you the best opportunity to adjust the different layers of sound around you without feeling overwhelmed. For example, you can experiment with adjusting the volume on the TV and honing in on quiet sounds such as the clock ticking or the tap running. This is also a good chance to get used to adjusting the settings on your hearing aids to adapt to the sounds around you.

3. Start slowly, gradually increasing usage

If you’re a new hearing aid user and you’re really struggling to adjust to your new listening capabilities, it’s a good idea to build up your tolerance slowly.

You don’t need to wear your hearing aids from morning until night right away if that’s not comfortable. Starting with just a few hours a day in calm settings whilst gradually increasing the duration can make all the difference.

If you’re starting to feel fatigued, take short breaks and try again later. Over time, your ears and brain will adjust, making it easier to wear them for longer periods without any discomfort.

4. Listen to everyday sounds

When wearing hearing aids for the first time, you might just be surprised by how much sound you’ve been missing! Simple sounds like the rustling of leaves or the kettle boiling might stand out to you more than before.

It’s normal for this to feel overwhelming at first but it’s a good sign as it shows your new hearing aids are working for you! Try to re-familiarise yourself with these kinds of sounds by taking the time to focus on them – that way, your brain will start to recognise and filter them naturally.

5. Practice in different environments

Once you’ve gained your confidence at home and your hearing aids are starting to feel more comfortable, it’s a good idea to challenge yourself in different environments. Simply taking a trip to your local shop, cafe or park can be the switch-up you need to start adapting to different sounds and spaces.

Placing yourself in these environments can help you practice picking out voices from background noise and getting used to identifying directional sounds. If it feels like too much at first, take it one step at a time and start with quieter locations before moving to busier ones.

6. Take time to educate yourself

Your audiologist will help you select the hearing aid that best suits your needs and ensure it’s set up correctly to help you get the most out of it, but taking the time to educate yourself can make a huge difference in speeding up the adjustment process.

The more you understand about how your hearing aids work, the better your experience will be. Learn how to adjust settings, clean them, and troubleshoot minor issues. Many modern hearing aids now also come with smartphone apps that allow you to personalise your listening experience.

We have a useful selection of hearing aid how-to videos here that guide you through pairing different devices with your phone and TV.

7. Participate in different conversations

It’s natural for conversations to feel a bit different when wearing new hearing aids for the first time, especially in group settings.

A great way to help you get over this hurdle is starting with one-on-one discussions in quiet places to allow you to focus on a single voice and adjust to how speech sounds. Then as you get more comfortable, introduce yourself to group discussions and then move on to busier environments like small gatherings.

If background noise makes it difficult to follow a conversation, here are a few helpful strategies:

• Face the speaker – Watching lip movements and facial expressions can help you understand speech more easily
• Position yourself carefully – Sit with your back to a wall or in a quieter part of the room to minimise background noise
• Let others know you’re adjusting – Friends and family can help by speaking clearly, facing you directly, or reducing background noise where possible

8. Be patient

Along with the tips above, the key to adjusting to new hearing aids is really being patient with yourself. In many cases, you are likely to see a noticeable improvement immediately after getting your new hearing aids fitted but it isn’t always plain sailing – and that’s okay!

Retraining your brain to process sound in a new way can take some time, so it’s completely normal to experience some moments of frustration along the way.

Set realistic expectations and focus on small victories like being able to hear sounds you haven’t heard for a while, and being able to participate better in conversations. Consistency is key and there’s no need to try and rush the process.

9. Get support from your audiologist

Remember, you’re not on this journey alone – your audiologist is there to support you and ensure you have the smoothest transition with your new hearing aids. If something doesn’t sound right, or if you’re struggling with discomfort, always reach out to your audiologist as they can help to make adjustments, provide tips, and ensure you’re getting the best possible experience from your hearing aids.

This is why choosing the right audiologist is crucial, as finding someone you can trust to help you get the most from your hearing aids has a huge impact on your journey. At Harley Street Hearing, all of our hearing aid patients receive lifetime aftercare with regular follow-up appointments to ensure their hearing aids are still working optimally for them.

These follow-up appointments are hugely important to your journey as they give you the opportunity to discuss how you’ve been getting on and if you’ve been having any problems. Similarly, our audiologists can also identify if there are any settings that need to be adjusted or changes that need to be made.

At Harley Street Hearing, you’re always in safe hands. We pride ourselves on our passion to always find the right treatment for our patients and offer them unrivalled aftercare.

Our clinics are based in London, and we offer a range of different hearing care services to help you reach your full hearing potential. To book an appointment, call us on 020 7486 1053 or contact us online.

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