Earlier today Rexton introduced the addition of a new hearing aid to its lineup - the Rexton Reach. Its description matches the Signia IX technology which came onto the market 5 months ago. So, if you’ve been waiting for the lower cost version of the IX platform, it’s here. I don’t know if Costco has it yet but if they don’t, I expect that they will soon.
Very curious to know when these will end up at Costco. Could someone briefly summarize the differences between the IX and previous AX platforms?
IX processes multiple primary conversation streams (3) - as well as a 4th from the rear hemisphere - simultaneously. AX only processes one primary stream from the front.
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@J-I, I asked Costco when the new Rexton aids will be available. I’m told that the staff in any individual Costco store doesn’t know that new hearing aids are available more than a day or 2 in advance. The individual stores don’t even get visits from the company reps any more, something which began during Covid. They said that they’re probably coming soon bout on the other hand it could also be as much as a month or two. No way of knowing.
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So, I contacted WSA International, Rexton’s parent company. They replied that they expect their new Reach hearing aids to be available in the United States by mid-March.
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I’ll be following on Costco availability, as I am unfortunately searching for backup aids. But a cool feature I noticed is classic bluetooth protocol – that will add some convenience that thus far, has only been available to Sonova products. Interesting that the advertised battery life is lower than their previous model though.
Where did you see it has Classic Bluetooth? I see it is Made for iPhone, ASHA compatible and with an expected update will get LE Audio. None of those are Classic Bluetooth.
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Yes, but the battery life is longer if you buy the T-coil version. Assuming that it’s the same as the Signia Pure Charge&Go IX, what I’m seeing on line is the following:
28 hours of battery life OR
24 hours with 5 hours of streaming
With T-coil:
39 hours of battery life OR
36 hours with 5 hours of streaming
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When you click the link the OP provided, halfway down the page:
Edit after the fact*** I now noticed the word “Classic” is sort of shaded out, so maybe it’s not. I also didn’t initially know it was a video and haven’t watched it, just saw the big words “Classic Bluetooth Protocol,” so *shrug
Watched the video. Nope, no Classic BT. Don’t know why they did the video that way. Is Made for iPhone, ASHA and LE Audio is “promised,” but there’s not a great history of hearing aid companies keeping their promises.
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Rexton HQ in New Jersey announced this morning that they are launching their new generation Rexton Reach in the United States today. No word is forthcoming yet regarding their availability at Costco, but hopefully that announcement will be coming soon.
The Reach has the same multi-stream architecture for enhanced conversation understanding as the Signia IX platform. This feature provides a very similar benefit to that which was recently introduced on the Oticon Intent.
Will Rexton Reach be Auracast ready?
Yes it looks like it, Bluetooth version 5.2 and LE Audio is just a firmware update.
Why would Signia brand the aid Rexton if it wasn’t aimed to be sold at Costco?
Jeff, I believe Rexton is sold by other independent clinics and not just Costco wholesale.
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I didn’t know that! Thanks. I assume the Rextons are sold more cheaply at the other clinics? Or do they jsut find that the Rexton brand is better known than Signia, because folks are familiar with it due to Costco?
Tenkan, you don’t have to reply! who knows, right? I’m merely wondering aloud.
Apparently the new Rexton Reach hearing aid is an affordable alternative to the Signia IX technology with Multi-Voice Focus. This may be good news for those looking for quality hearing aids with advanced features, but at a more affordable price. The rechargeable option can also be an attractive addition for users, and this confirms the companies’ commitment to ease of use and innovation in this area. While it’s unknown if the new product will be available in Costco stores, you can expect it to hit the market soon.
From what I’ve read, WSA has historically used the Rexton label to sell its hearing aids to parts of the world where people can’t afford higher priced hearing aids, I.e. Africa and the Middle East in particular. I guess that they were a natural fit for Costco when that relationship developed.
Having said that Rexton branded hearing aids are sold in first world countries in Europe like the UK. In recent years, WSA has developed/acquired sales centers in the US such as hear.com and HearUSA, which carry the Rexton brand.
The launch date in Europe for the Rexton Reach was in February and it launched in the US on March 12. So, it’s available right now - just not at Costco. Without the Philips 9050 and the Reach, it’s going to become increasingly difficult for Costco hearing specialists to say with a straight face that they sell “premium” hearing aids, equivalent to the top of the line from name brand companies when that’s clearly not the case for 2 of the 3 brands they sell.
What’s surprising about this to me is that it’s been known to everyone for more than 6 months that this new product would be coming to the Rexton lineup - ever since Signia introduced its IX platform. It was only a matter of time before it would trickle down to Rexton. So, they’ve had at least 6 months to do their negotiations. They’ve also had almost 2 months since it was launched in Europe. So, what’s holding them up unless they don’t plan to sell them in Costco? Could the announcement from Oticon that the Intent will not be available through insurance companies be only the first wave of companies holding back their premium products? Or will we see the Philips and Rextons offered at higher prices more like the $2599 that Costco used to charge for the non-Kirkland brands?
Well to be fair, all products sold even if it’s the previous model are “premium” models.
I think the reason is simply that they want to sell as many Signia models before losing some market share to Costco sales of the Rexton, so no rush from WSA.
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