Where does Signia come from?
If you wore hearing aids some years ago, you may remember the Siemens name on them. Siemens sold its hearing business, and the hearing aids were relaunched under the Signia brand. Signia is now part of WS Audiology, a group that also owns Widex. The engineering heritage is German, and the brand is fitted widely across the UK.
What makes Signia interesting to many people is not one headline feature but the number of different looks it offers. If appearance matters to you, Signia gives your audiologist more shapes to choose from than most brands.
The Signia styles, one by one
Signia’s current technology platform is called IX, and current ranges built on it include the styles below. Models change, so your audiologist will show you what is available when you visit.
Pure
Pure is Signia’s main receiver-in-canal family. A small case sits behind the ear and a thin wire leads to the speaker in the canal. This is the everyday workhorse of the range and suits a broad spread of hearing losses. Most Pure models are rechargeable.
Styletto
Styletto has a slim, elongated case that looks more like a piece of modern tech than a traditional hearing aid. It is aimed at people who want something stylish and discreet. It suits mild to moderate losses, and its charging case is designed to be carried around.
Silk
Silk is a small in-canal aid that uses soft silicone sleeves instead of a custom-made shell, so it can sometimes be fitted without waiting for an ear impression. It is discreet but uses tiny disposable batteries and needs reasonable finger dexterity.
Insio
Insio is Signia’s custom in-the-ear family, made from a mould of your ear. Depending on size, it can sit in the outer ear or further into the canal.
Active
Active looks like a wireless earbud. It is designed for people who would rather wear something that resembles everyday audio kit than a hearing aid. It suits milder losses, and fit depends on the shape of your ear.
Signia styles at a glance
| Range | Style | Worth considering if |
|---|---|---|
| Pure | Receiver-in-canal | You want a reliable all-rounder with rechargeable options |
| Styletto | Slim behind-the-ear | Looks matter and your loss is mild to moderate |
| Silk | Ready-fit in-canal | You want minimal visibility and are happy with small batteries |
| Insio | Custom in-the-ear | You prefer nothing behind the ear |
| Active | Earbud style | You like the idea of a hearing aid that looks like an earbud |
How do I choose between Signia styles?
Style is usually the last decision, not the first. Your audiologist starts with your audiogram, because some shapes cannot deliver enough power for stronger hearing losses. Then come the practical questions:
- Your ear canals. Small or very curved canals may not have room for an in-canal model.
- Your hands and eyesight. Small aids and small batteries can be fiddly. Rechargeable behind-the-ear models are easier for many people.
- Wax and moisture. Aids that sit deep in the canal are more exposed to wax, which can mean more cleaning.
- Streaming. The smallest models may have fewer wireless features than larger ones.
If discretion is your main aim, our page on invisible hearing aids looks at the options across all the brands we fit.
Is Signia a good hearing aid brand?
Signia is one of the established manufacturers and its aids are reliable and well supported. People sometimes ask whether one brand is better than another. At the same technology level, the major brands are closer than adverts suggest. It is more useful to ask which brand offers the right shape and features for you, then compare one or two at the same price. Signia sits within the same group as Widex, but the two brands have different design approaches; see our Widex guide if you want to compare. For a wider view, read our guide to the best hearing aids in the UK.
Living with Signia hearing aids
Most Signia receiver-in-canal models connect to a smartphone app so you can change volume and programmes without touching the aids. Many also stream calls and audio. In the first few weeks, expect everyday sounds such as the kettle, footsteps and your own voice to seem louder than you remember. That is normal and usually settles as your brain adjusts. Your follow-up appointments in the first two weeks are the time to fine-tune anything that still bothers you.
A few habits help any Signia style last well:
- Wipe the aids with a dry cloth each evening and check the dome or tip for wax.
- Change wax guards when sound becomes weak or muffled; your audiologist will show you how.
- Keep rechargeable models in their charger overnight, away from bathroom steam.
- Take custom in-ear aids out before showering, swimming or using hairspray.
If an aid stops working, do not try to open it. Most problems are small, such as a blocked wax guard or a worn dome, and can be sorted quickly at the clinic. Everything we fit comes with 5 years of aftercare, covering cleaning and servicing, and we also look after Signia aids bought elsewhere through our repairs service.
It is also worth knowing that your ears change over time. If you notice sore spots, whistling or that the fit feels looser, book a check rather than putting up with it. Small adjustments to domes or shells often fix it.
Trying Signia at our Streetly clinic
We fit Signia alongside Phonak, Oticon, Starkey, ReSound, Widex and Unitron, so we can show you a Signia style next to alternatives. Your free hearing test takes up to 90 minutes and needs no GP referral. If Signia suits you, we programme a pair for a free 14-day home trial. Prices start at £1,595 a pair; see our hearing aid prices for what is included.