Signia's MaX hearing aids reach US veterans, with Auracast still switched off

Signia's first hearing aid with Auracast hardware is now on offer to US veterans. In a release dated 2 November, Signia said the Pure Charge&Go MaX is available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Defense and the Indian Health Service.

The catch is the same one that applies to everyone else who buys a MaX. Auracast is in the hardware, and it is not switched on.

Two dates for the switch-on

Signia's press release says full Auracast functionality will come in a firmware update, delivered through the Signia One app, by March 2027. That matches what Signia said when the MaX launched in August.

Signia's US government services page says something a little looser. Its footnote reads: "Auracast compatibility coming via firmware update in 1st half of 2027 on the Signia One App or in clinic."

Those two statements can both be true, since March is in the first half of the year. But "first half" also allows for June. We have listed the MaX as Firmware pending with a March 2027 date since launch, and we are keeping that date because it is the one in the press release. We have added the footnote to the product page, and we will record the day the update actually ships.

What veterans get today

The MaX is a rechargeable receiver-in-canal aid in eight colours. Signia says it connects by Bluetooth Classic, LE Audio and telecoil, with Auracast to follow. The telecoil matters here. It works today with the hearing loops already installed in many public buildings, so a veteran fitted with a MaX is not shut out of venue audio while waiting for the update.

The pocket charger holds up to four full charges. Signia quotes four hours for a full charge, and up to six hours of use from 30 minutes.

The same release adds the Active Mini IX, a small ready-to-wear in-ear aid, to the government range. Signia makes no Auracast claim for it. The Active Mini is built on Signia's older IX platform, and Signia's support page says its hearing aids do not currently support Auracast.

Why the VA matters

The VA buys more hearing aids than anyone else in the United States. Aurahear puts its share at about a fifth of the market. Veterans who are enrolled for VA health care and qualify for hearing aids get them through the department.

Signia is not the only brand on offer, so a veteran choosing now has options where Auracast already works. Aurahear notes that the VA also works with GN ReSound, Starkey and Oticon. All three have current models that join broadcasts today: ReSound since 2023, and Starkey and Oticon after firmware updates over the past year. Which exact models are on the VA's list is a question for the VA audiologist.

If Auracast is a reason you are choosing

• Ask which models on the VA list have Auracast switched on today, not which are "ready".
• If you choose the MaX, ask how the update will reach you. Signia says through the Signia One app or in the clinic.
• Ask about your phone. Signia says the update will let its app pick the broadcast. Until it ships, nobody outside Signia can say how well that works on an iPhone, which has no Auracast settings of its own.
• Keep the telecoil. The MaX has one. It is still the most widely supported way to hear a venue's sound system.

Our list of hearing aids with Auracast shows every model by status, with the promised date beside each one that is still waiting.