Jabra Enhance Hearing Aids Review 2024: Expert Analysis

Oct 17, 2024
Fact Checked
Our audiology experts review Jabra Enhance hearing aids based on price, features, sound quality, and more.

Key Takeaways

9.9
Exceptional
No in-person consultation necessary
Three years of free audiology support with premium package
Money-back guarantee for up to 100 days, depending on the device
All models offer Bluetooth streaming on iOS devices and certain Androids

With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 2022 ruling on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, there are more options than ever for purchasing hearing aids—at in-person hearing clinics, online, or from big-box retailers.

Jabra Enhance is an OTC hearing aid brand available online and from big-box retailers (Best Buy and Costco). All of its hearing aid support is available online and through mobile technology. If you’re experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss and feel you’re a good candidate for an OTC hearing aid, Jabra Enhance is a reliable brand to consider. Jabra has a reputation for quality and above-average customer reviews.

To help you find the best hearing aid on the market for your needs, we looked into how much Jabra Enhance hearing aids cost, whether insurance covers Jabra Enhance hearing aids, and what the Jabra Enhance aids warranty covers.

This Jabra Enhance hearing aids review dives into the answers to these questions and more, so you can determine if Jabra is a good hearing aid for you.

Why Jabra hearing aids are one of our top picks

Jabra Enhance hearing aids are one of our Reviews Team’s top picks for the best hearing aids for several reasons.

First, Jabra Enhance offers OTC hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss, so you’re not required to see a doctor or audiologist for a fitting. This can save you time and money since you’re not obligated to visit an audiologist clinic. OTC hearing aids are often more affordable than prescribed hearing aids, are preprogrammed and ready to be used out of the box, and can be self-fitted and adjusted by the user at home.

Second, Jabra Enhance offers ongoing access to a team of professionals, including licensed hearing aid specialists and audiologists, for up to three years after purchase. Because the support is available only online, if you prefer to see a hearing professional in person, Jabra Enhance hearing aids may not be for you.

Finally, Jabra Enhance earned “Editor’s Pick” on our Reviews Team’s best hearing aids of 2024 review due to the company’s combination of powerful hearing aids and ongoing customer service.

Pros and cons of Jabra Enhance hearing aids

Pros Free online hearing test Audiology care team support for three years depending on which care and protection plan you choose Money-back guarantee for up to 100 days depending on the device Transparent and easy-to-find pricing online Two popular hearing aid styles available All models offer Bluetooth streaming on all iOS devices and certain Androids
Cons Not all models have long warranty and trial periods Adjustments must be made with a smartphone or tablet No telecoil in any OTC model

Comparison of Jabra Enhance hearing aids models

Jabra Enhance Select 50R Jabra Enhance Select 50R Visit Site
Jabra Enhance Select 300 Jabra Enhance Select 300 Visit Site
Jabra Enhance Select 500 Jabra Enhance Select 500 Visit Site
Jabra Enhance Pro 20 Jabra Enhance Pro 20 Visit Site
Cost per pair $995-$1,195 $1,495-$1,695 $1,795-$1,995 $1,599.99
Type of hearing aid RIC Mini RIE Micro RIE Micro RIE
Type of hearing loss Mild to moderate Mild to moderate Mild to moderate Moderate to Severe
Battery type Rechargeable Rechargeable Rechargeable Rechargeable
Bluetooth Yes Yes Yes Yes
Customization options Yes Yes Yes Yes
Water resistant Yes (IP68) Yes (IP68) Yes (IP68) Yes (IP68)
Telecoil No No No No
Directional microphone Yes Yes Yes Yes
Noise reduction Yes Yes Yes Yes
Processing channels Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hands-free calling No Yes Yes Yes
Auracast No No Yes Yes
BLE tech No No Yes Yes
OTC/Rx OTC OTC OTC Rx

Jabra Enhance Select 50R

Jabra Enhance Select 50R

  • Cost per pair: $995 (basic package) and $1,195 (premium package)
  • Dimensions: 0.99 inches x 0.57 inches (height x width)
  • Weight: 1 gram (gm) without battery
  • Type of hearing aid: Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
  • Type of hearing loss: Mild to moderate
  • Battery type: Disposable
  • Bluetooth compatible: Yes

Additional information on the Jabra Enhance Select 50R

The Jabra Enhance Select 50R are lightweight, rechargeable, Bluetooth-streaming hearing aids.

New to all Jabra Enhance Select devices, including Jabra Enhance Select 50R, are the basic and premium package options. The basic package comes with OTC hearing aids, a one-year warranty, and loss and damage protection, but no audiology support. The premium package comes with OTC hearing aids and three years of professional hearing care with the Jabra Enhance Audiology Team—an audiology team member will program your hearing aids to your audiogram or hearing test results and conduct an orientation session to show you how to use your hearing aids, pair them with your phone, use the app, clean, charge, and maintain them, and adjust the settings—and a three-year and warranty and loss and damage protection.

The Enhance Select 50R hearing aids offer speech clarity and noise reduction features that filter out background noise during conversations in loud places.

If you choose the premium package, which costs $200 more than the basic, the device comes with three-year access to the Jabra Audiology Team. This team consists of hearing specialists who can program your hearing aids and make remote sound adjustments through the Jabra Enhance Select app.

Enhance Select 50R hearing aids come with a 100-day trial period.

Jabra Enhance Select 300

Jabra Enhance Select 300

  • Cost per pair: $1,495 (basic package) and $1,695 (premium package)
  • Dimensions: 1.15″ H x 0.33″ W
  • Weight: 2.23 gm
  • Type of hearing aid: Mini RIE
  • Type of hearing loss: Mild to moderate
  • Battery type: Rechargeable
  • Bluetooth compatible: Yes

Additional information on the Jabra Enhance Select 300

The Jabra Enhance Select 300 model is among the brand’s newer rechargeable Bluetooth-streaming hearing aids. These hearing aids’ advanced technology offers clear, natural sound, including adaptive sound processing. This means the volume automatically adjusts to your environment, so you don’t have to manually adjust frequently using your Jabra Enhance Select app. But if you prefer, you can still make adjustments using the app’s environment settings.

You also get binaural directionality, a feature that helps process sound by combining inputs from both hearing aids. Working together, the hearing aids were designed to produce sound that is easily interpreted by the brain and sounds more natural to you while offering the best sound clarity and depth of all Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids.

The 300 model also offers automatic background noise suppression, so if you move from a quiet place to a noisy one, the hearing aids will sense the new noise level and reduce environmental sounds. It’s one of just two models with hands-free calling, available with iPhones 11 and newer.

Like all Enhance Select models, it comes with a 100-day trial period and, with a premium package purchase, three years of remote adjustments through the Jabra Audiology Team on the app.

Jabra Enhance Select 500

Jabra Enhance Select 500

  • Cost per pair: $1,795-$1,995
  • Dimensions: 1.02″L x 0.29″W x 0.44″H
  • Weight: 2.12 gm
  • Type of hearing aid: Micro receiver-in-ear (RIE)
  • Type of hearing loss: Mild to moderate
  • Battery type: Rechargeable
  • Bluetooth compatible: Yes, iOS and Android devices

Additional information on the Jabra Enhance Select 500

If you’re interested in discreet, lightweight, and comfortable hearing aids, the Enhance Select 500 could be a good fit. It’s the brand’s most compact and technologically advanced OTC model. Starting at $1,795, it has a micro RIE design, which makes it much smaller than other models. It’s also compatible with iOS and Android devices for hands-free calling, music, and media. Music Mode improves the quality of live music. At the same time, SoundScape technology has three features: to improve hearing in noisy environments, increase awareness of sounds forming from the sides and behind, and offer advanced acoustics.

The charging case delivers up to 24 hours of listening on a single charge, and the Jabra Enhance Select 500 has a 100-day trial period.

Jabra Enhance Pro 20 from Costco

Starting at $1,599 per pair, Jabra has a prescription line of RIC hearing aids exclusive to Costco, called the Jabra Enhance Pro 20. In order to purchase these, you’ll need a Costco membership, which starts at $60 per year.

Jabra Enhance Pro Costco grey background Jabra hearing aids review

Jabra Enhance Pro 20 hearing aids differ from the Jabra Enhance Select OTC hearing aids by addressing mild to profound hearing loss. These prescription hearing aids have rechargeable or disposable battery options, so you can choose what works best for you.

The Pro 20 model also has a different app, called the Jabra Enhance Pro app, which is available on both Apple and Google Play. The app lets you control volume, personalize your sound preferences by presetting your own programs, manage tinnitus (when you experience ringing or other noises in your ears) through therapeutic settings, and access remote care with the Jabra Audiology Team.

Screenshots of the Jabra Enhance Pro app on the Google Play store show different features available to users.
Jabra Enhance Pro app available on the Google Play and Apple store

About telecoil options

A telecoil is a small wire in a hearing aid that picks up sound from a loop system, which is a system that sends audio to your hearing aid, so you can hear better during events or in crowded places. You can find loop systems integrated into your phone, in concert halls, at airports, or in places of worship.

Enhance Select models do not include a telecoil. Many hearing aid brands choose to sacrifice telecoil technology to keep prices low. A telecoil can be a costly feature requiring a bigger device to fit the wire, so you won’t find it in completely-in-canal (CIC) or invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) models.

But hearing aid technology continues to advance. Bluetooth features and smartphone controls, like environment settings that better filter sounds you want to hear, help improve sound quality in noisy places without the use of a telecoil.

If you’re considering OTC Jabra Enhance hearing aids but you want a telecoil option, you can buy a separate device with a telecoil. The MultiMic accessory is $275 and can pick up audio from loop systems that goes directly to your hearing aids.

Auracast technology may replace the need for telecoils in the future. The Select 500 and Pro 20 are two of the first hearing aids on the market that have Bluetooth Low Energy and Auracast technology.

How Jabra Enhance works

Jabra Enhance sells over-the-counter hearing aids, with the exception of the exclusive Jabra Enhance Pro 20, which is sold at Costco and can only be purchased with a prescription.

Jabra Enhance hearing aids are less expensive than other OTC competitors like Audicus (starting at $1,398 per pair) and Eargo (starting at $1,850 per pair). But they’re still not as affordable as other OTC brands, like MDHearing (starting at $299 per pair).

Lively becomes Jabra Enhance

In fall 2022, Jabra, which is best known for its wireless earbuds, merged with the Lively hearing aid brand to create the Jabra Enhance line of hearing aids. Jabra Enhance is owned by the GN Group, a corporation that specializes in hearing and audio technology out of Denmark.

When the merger took place, Lively hearing aids were rebranded under the Jabra Enhance name:

Since then, Jabra Enhance has developed other hearing aid models, like the Enhance Select 500.

How much do Jabra Enhance hearing aids cost?

Jabra Enhance hearing aids start between $995–$1,995 per pair. If your main priority is Bluetooth streaming, Jabra Enhance is one of the most affordable hearing aids options on the market.

If Jabra hearing aids are out of your price range, there are ways to help cover costs, like asking insurance for partial coverage, searching for financing opportunities, or applying for alternative funding through local programs.

How to buy Jabra Enhance hearing aids

You can purchase Jabra Enhance Select online through the brand’s website. If you’re buying hearing aids directly from Jabra Enhance, you can pay using VISA, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit cards.

If you’re looking to finance your hearing aids, you can apply through Bread, the company’s financing partner, at checkout on the Jabra website. Jabra Enhance offers payment plans for each hearing aid. Depending on your terms and package option for the Select devices (basic or premium), here’s a breakdown of monthly payments, beginning on the low end:

Does insurance cover hearing aids?

While most insurance plans do not cover the full cost of hearing aids, terms vary by state and some private insurance providers may cover a portion, so it’s always a good idea to check with your health insurance provider on your specific coverage. Common forms of coverage include:

How can I save money on hearing aids?

To save money on hearing aids, check with charitable foundations that help those who cannot afford hearing aids, such as the Hearing Aid Project, Miracle-Ear Foundations, or local Lions Clubs.

Another option to look into is your local area agency on aging to see what it can do to offer support. Finally, visit NCOA’s Benefits CheckUp to learn more about benefits that may be available in your area.

Jabra Enhance and Jabra Enhance Select apps

The app you use to support your hearing aids depends on the model you purchase. The Jabra Enhance Select app is used for the Jabra Enhance Select 500, 300, and 50R hearing aids.

Jabra Enhance app

You can only download the Jabra Enhance app through the Apple store. The only exception is the Jabra Enhance Select 500, which is also available on Android.

This app connects to your Jabra Enhance hearing aids and allows you to make adjustments to your mode (adaptive, focus, or surround), use the speech filter to focus on conversations, change the volume of incoming sound, and access support agents if you need help.

Screenshots of the Jabra Enhance app in the Apple store.
These screenshots found through the Apple store show personalized sound features available with the Jabra Enhance app.

Jabra Enhance Select app

Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids are compatible with both iPhones and Android smartphones—you can download the Jabra Enhance Select app from the Apple store and the Google Play store.

The app connects to Jabra Enhance Select 500, 300, and 50R hearing aids, allowing you to optimize sounds depending on your environment. Unlike the Enhance app, the Enhance Select app gives you direct access to the Jabra Audiology Team, which means you can book appointments through the app if you need program adjustments or if you need to ask a professional about your hearing. If the Audiology Team determines you need an adjustment, they can program your hearing aids through the app, so you don’t have to go to an audiology clinic.

Screenshots of the Jabra Enhance Select app on the Apple and Google Play stores
Screenshots of the Jabra Enhance Select app show features that can personalize sound.

Jabra Enhance accessories

Enhance Select hearing aids include a cleaning kit with a brush, cloth, eight domes of each size that comfortably fit the receiver to your ear canal, and a pack of wax guards that protect the hearing aid from ear wax buildup. If you need more care supplies, the Jabra care team can ship them at no extra cost to you for up to three years.

Jabra Enhance offers four main accessories for an additional cost: a TV Streamer, MultiMic, Phone Clip+, and the Enhance Select 100 Charging Case. All Jabra Enhance accessories include a 100-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty (excluding the charging case, which offers a three-year warranty).

Jabra hearing aid customer service and satisfaction

For self-help, the FAQ section and a Quick Start Guide on the Jabra Enhance website walks you through the basics of connecting your hearing aids to the Jabra Enhance and Jabra Enhance Select apps, so you can adjust your hearing aid settings and charge your device.

If you need additional assistance, you can visit the Jabra Enhance customer support page to fill out an online contact form, call, or send an email.

The Jabra Enhance website also has a chat feature, which the Reviews Team found to be responsive and helpful. Once you send a message, a real-life support agent will respond within two to five minutes to answer your questions or provide resources. Very few responses are automated, so you can feel confident knowing most of your questions can be answered quickly as you browse.

Jabra hearing aid warranties, maintenance, and care

Warranties

If you purchase a premium package of the Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids, it comes with a three-year warranty, which includes one-time coverage for repair, loss, and damage. If you prefer to save $200, the basic packages only have a one-year warranty. The loss and damage policy does have a deductible, which means you’ll have to pay up to the following amounts to receive new devices:

If you’re unhappy with your hearing aids during the trial period, you can return them and receive a full refund, including covered shipping costs. If the trial period has ended but you’ve only used your device for less than a year, you can still return them with documentation from your otolaryngologist or professional of similar profession under the Return Policy based on Medical Opinion section of the Terms and Conditions.

Maintenance and care

Your Jabra Enhance hearing aids should be cleaned at least once per week to make sure they’re conducting sound at an optimal quality.

Weekly care consists of superficial cleaning using the brush and cloth to remove dust and dirt. For more in-depth cleaning about once per month, you’ll need to replace your domes and wax guards by gently removing these parts and replacing them with the supplies in your cleaning kit.

Never store your hearing aids in places that can get excessively hot or cold, like in the car. Try to keep your hearing aids and charging cases dry to extend their life. Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids are water resistant, so they are highly resistant to dust and dirt, as well as water damage when submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Although they can tolerate exposure to moisture, Jabra Enhance customer support does not encourage swimming or showering with them to further protect the electrical components.

Who are Jabra Enhance hearing aids for?

Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids are appropriate for adults 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss. Children or people with profound hearing loss will need a prescription hearing aid.

If you’re unsure of which level of hearing loss you have, you can screen yourself using the Jabra free online hearing test.

Jabra Enhance online hearing test

To take the Jabra online hearing test, you will need a pair of headphones and a quiet environment. The test begins with questions about your hearing, such as “How would you rate your overall hearing ability without hearing aids?” and “Where do you have the most trouble hearing?”

The Jabra Enhance online hearing test asks questions to understand your suspected hearing loss.
A screenshot of the Jabra Enhance initial screening shows one of the questions you’ll be asked when you take it.

You’ll then be guided through different types of tones, with instructions to click the volume number until you can barely hear the tone, and again, until the tone is at a louder but comfortable volume. After taking the test, you may be asked to enter your first name, email address, and phone number to access your results. This prompt depends on your location.

A screenshot of the Jabra Enhance hearing test, which challenges your hearing at different frequency levels in different ears
Jabra Enhance challenges your hearing at different frequencies to understand your level of hearing loss.

Keep in mind an online hearing test is not diagnostic, unlike a professional in-person hearing exam with an audiologist. This means an online test cannot diagnose the cause of your hearing loss. If the test indicates you have hearing loss, a trip to the audiologist is always a good idea. For example, the results below indicate this person has significant hearing loss and may require further assessment by a hearing professional.

A screenshot of the Jabra Enhance hearing test results for each ear, which can range between significant loss to good hearing
Jabra Enhance displays your level of hearing loss for each ear.

“One of the biggest pros is that online hearing tests are done from the comfort of your own home,” said Lindsey Jorgensen, Au.D. and associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Dakota. “They can give you an idea if you need to seek help from an audiologist. But on the other hand, online hearing tests are not calibrated and may not be very accurate. If there is anything going on around you, it may interfere with the test and can make it unreliable.”

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, during an in-person consultation, an audiologist discusses your medical history and current hearing issues. They also look inside your ears to determine if obstruction, like earwax, is affecting your hearing. [1] American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Hearing Evaluation. Found on the internet at https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/hearing-evaluation/

When one of our Reviews Team members attended a hearing exam at their local audiologist, she underwent many different tests to determine which frequencies were difficult to hear and how well sounds traveled through her ear. The entire exam (about 35 minutes) determines whether you suffer from hearing loss, the severity, and your best treatment options. “Make sure you see a reputable doctor with an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) calibrated sound booth who follows best practices,” said Sarah Lundstrom, Au.D., an audiologist at HearCare Audiology in Sarasota, Florida.

Lundstrom also explained some of the pros and cons of an in-person consultation. “In-person consultations are completed by an audiologist trained to give accurate results. They are a part of your medical record and you can request a copy to take home with you. The drawback with that is you will likely have to make an appointment, wait for the appointment, and travel to the location for the exam.”

If you’re interested in finding an audiologist near you, visit the American Academy of Audiology, which hosts a directory and can provide you with information on location-specific clinics. And if you’ve already seen an audiologist and received a diagnosis, you can upload your audiogram to the Jabra Enhance website to be used for preprogramming your Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids.

Is a Jabra Enhance hearing aid an amplifier?

Jabra Enhance hearing aids are not amplifiers, also known as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs). If you do not have hearing loss and you want to amplify sound during certain instances, like while hunting, an amplifier may be appropriate. But these devices aren’t meant for those with hearing loss.

If you do have hearing loss, a hearing aid is appropriate. Amplifiers increase all sound, but they aren’t FDA-regulated medical grade devices that allow you to adjust your hearing to your needs. If you’re unsure which device is appropriate for you, consult with an audiologist.

Jabra Enhance vs. other brands

Cost per pair $995–$1,995 $1,850–$2,950 Depends on retailer $299–$699 Depends on retailer
Type of hearing aids ITE, RIC, mini RIE CIC BTE, RIC, ITE, ITC, CIC BTE BTE, RIC, ITE, ITC, CIC
Types of hearing loss Mild to moderate Mild to moderate Mild to profound Mild to moderately severe Mild to profound

What to consider before buying hearing aids

When you’re looking to buy hearing aids, consider the following questions:

Jabra Enhance hearing aid customer reviews

Jabra Enhance customer reviews reveal that Jabra hearing aids have a generally good reputation among users.

On Better Business Bureau (BBB), Jabra Enhance has a 3.4 out of 5 rating based on 19 customer reviews. Although many older reviews mention the old brand name (Lively), the hearing aids are still the same technology. Reviews are mixed on BBB, particularly in reference to customer support. Positive reviews praise customer support’s attentiveness, while some negative reviews disagree. Jabra Enhance is active on BBB in resolving complaints and responding to reviews.

In our Reviews Team’s survey of hearing aid users, more than 35% of Jabra Enhance respondents said their hearing aids helped them hear better in conversations with small groups of five people or less. But our survey also uncovered that more than 29% of Jabra Enhance respondents said their hearing aids didn’t have enough features.

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a pair of OTC hearing aids, Jabra Enhance offers one RIC model and two RIE models designed for mild to moderate hearing loss. If you need a pair of prescription hearing aids, Costco sells an RIC model that addresses mild to profound hearing loss. All Jabra Enhance hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible and cost less than $2,000, which is about half the price of the average pair of hearing aids. Our Jabra hearing aids review can help you choose the right OTC hearing aid.

Jabra Enhance hearing aids may be the right choice for you if:

Jabra Enhance hearing aids may not be the right choice for you if:

Before you purchase any hearing aid, visit your audiologist for a professional evaluation to ensure you’re receiving the most appropriate treatment and purchasing the right device.

Frequently asked questions

In 2022, Jabra and Lively merged to become Jabra Enhance under the same company, GN Group, which specializes in hearing and audio technology.

Jabra Enhance hearing aids start between $995–$1,995 depending on your preferred model and package selection.

Jabra Enhance hearing aids are manufactured by GN Group, which is a company based out of Denmark. GN Group also makes ReSound hearing aids, which are listed in our best hearing aid roundup.

Jabra Enhance hearing aids come in three styles:

  • In-the-ear (ITE): The Enhance Plus, which addresses mild to moderate hearing loss.
  • Receiver-in-canal (RIC): The Enhance Pro, which addresses mild to profound hearing loss.
  • Mini receiver-in-ear (RIE): The Enhance Select 300, and 500, which address mild to moderate hearing loss.

Jabra Enhance is listed as our “Editor’s Pick” in our list of best hearing aids for 2024. We chose them because they are relatively low cost with unmatched trial periods and warranty lengths, depending on the device.

Hearing aids last anywhere from three to seven years, depending on how well they’re cared for, how they’re worn and stored, and whether they are exposed to moisture and heat.

You can buy Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids on the Jabra Enhance website. If you would like to purchase Jabra Enhance Plus hearing aids, you can find these on the Jabra Enhance website or on Amazon. You can also shop for them at a local Best Buy. The prescription Jabra Enhance Pro hearing aids can only be purchased at Costco with a membership.

As a whole, the Select 300, Select 500, and Pro 20 feature more advanced hearing technology than the Select 100, Select 200, Pro, and Pro 10. They’re upgraded versions of these older models with enhanced speech clarity and new features. 

Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

Sources

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