VA audiologists can now provide veterans with the one-of-a-kind Styletto X hearing aids that combine research-proven, patient-preferred design and advanced audiological and accessibility features
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY, November 2, 2020 – Hearing aid innovation leader Signia today announced that Styletto X, its most complete hearing experience, is now available for audiologists within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to treat veterans.
As a result, audiologists can help more veterans address their hearing loss sooner via these slim and sleek hearing aids built with modern, contemporary design and powerful functionality. Styletto X is also available through the Department of Defense and the Indian Health Service for active military personnel and American Indians.
Meeting veterans’ hearing needs
Research shows that veterans are 30 percent more likely than non-veterans to have severe hearing loss.1 Meanwhile, tinnitus – the phantom ringing, humming, or buzzing in the ears often resulting from loud noise exposure – is the most common disability among veterans.2 Despite the prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus, not all veterans with these conditions choose to seek treatment. For some, it is due to a stigma associated with hearing aids or the fear of seeming old or out of touch.
John Murray, Signia’s Vice President of Government Services, commented, “We know that the average person waits about seven years between being diagnosed with hearing loss and getting treatment through hearing aids. By offering Styletto X at VA clinics, audiologists can present a new option to their patients that looks nothing like the traditional hearing aid. Based on consumer research, the Styletto form factor can assist audiologists in convincing veterans to treat their hearing loss sooner and help reduce the cognitive decline that may result from untreated hearing loss.”
As evidence of its appeal, a study of more than 500 participants found the eye-catching Styletto form factor to be preferred by 7 out of 10 hearing aid consumers and that a significantly higher number of participants would choose to wear hearing aids if offered Styletto.3 As a result, Styletto X is a strong option for convincing veterans to treat their hearing loss via hearing aids.
Groundbreaking audiological technology
In addition to its one-of-a-kind design that patients desire, Styletto X empowers hearing care professionals to address more patient needs and preferences than ever before.
With its uniquely slim and sleek design, Styletto X presents audiologists with a new option to help veterans overcome the stigma of wearing hearing aids while benefiting from the latest audiological technology.
Built upon the successful Signia Xperience technology platform, Styletto X hearing aids improve listening ability in any situation – including delivering better than normal hearing in difficult noise4 and also when moving, thanks to their revolutionary acoustic-motion sensors. Along with exchangeable receivers to treat a wide variety of hearing loss and Bluetooth® connectivity, Styletto X features a portable charging case and wireless Qi charging technology.
Signia is the first hearing aid brand to incorporate wireless Qi charging technology, enabling wearers to simply place the Styletto X pocket-sized charging case on a charging pad. This feature can help veterans with dexterity issues, since they don’t have to replace tiny batteries or plug wires into a charging port.
The small, pocket-sized Styletto X charging case can be placed on a pad to charge wirelessly. Without having to change tiny batteries or plug cords into a charging port, Styletto X provides a new level of convenience, especially for veterans with limited dexterity.
Additionally, with three different tinnitus treatment options built in, Styletto X enables audiologists to help veterans suffering from tinnitus to get relief from those frustrating sounds. In a recent clinical study of Signia’s tinnitus solutions and their ability to improve quality of life for those with distressing tinnitus, 75 percent of participants reported improvement in thoughts and emotions, with positive results in the areas of sleep and concentration as well.5
More treatment options during Covid-19 and beyond
The Covid-19 pandemic has placed a new focus on telehealth solutions, and Styletto X empowers audiologists to service veterans remotely. Signia’s TeleCare solution, available through the Signia app on patients’ smartphones, enables audiologists to connect with veterans via phone, video, or text-based chats to discuss their success or challenges and fine-tune their hearing aids in real time.
Styletto X wearers also have access to the Signia Assistant, a virtual assistant available through the Signia app providing 24/7 support to make automatic adjustments and address common issues in between check-ups with their audiologist.
And as face masks are shown to reduce speech understanding by 30%,6 Signia’s Face Mask Mode – the world’s first – can seamlessly help veterans better understand other speakers wearing masks.
More information about Styletto X can be found at: https://veterans.signiausa.
1 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Severe Hearing Impairment Among Military Veterans. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/
2 - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA Research on Hearing Loss. https://www.research.va.gov/
3 - Hakvoort, Burton: Increasing Style, Reducing Stigma: The Styletto Solution (Signia White Paper, 2018)
4 - Froehlich M, Freels K, Powers T. Speech recognition benefit obtained from binaural beamforming hearing aids: comparison to omnidirectional and individuals with normal hearing AudiologyOnline: 2015; Article 14338.
5 - Tyler RS, Perreau A, Powers T, et al. Tinnitus sound therapy trial shows effectiveness for those with tinnitus. J Am Acad Audiol 2020; 31: 6–16.
6 - Killion, Mead C.; Mueller, H. Gustav Twenty years later: A NEW Count-The-Dots method, The Hearing Journal: 2010 . 63(1): 10,12-14,16-17.
About Signia
Signia stands for iconic innovation. Since its launch in 2016, Signia has already brought to the market several “world’s first” solutions. Beyond highly innovative hearing aids, Signia also delivers tools and apps that increase customer interaction and engagement on all levels of hearing aid management. Signia thus empowers hearing care professionals and patients to get the most out of their hearing aids.
