Audien Atom Pro 2 vs Jabra Enhance Select 700

The Audien Atom Pro 2 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid earning a C grade with a SoundScore of 2.5/5 in our lab testing. At $289, it falls in the lowest price tier for OTC devices, though several competitors in this range deliver stronger overall performance. In our testing, the Atom Pro 2 showed a stark contrast between stability and speech benefit. Feedback handling scored an excellent 5.0/5, meaning users can expect stable performance without whistling during typical wear. However, speech clarity metrics were notably limited: speech in quiet scored just 0.7/5 (1.94 points below the category average), and speech in noise scored 0.5/5 (0.63 points below average). Music streaming scored 0.0/5, well below the 1.93 category average, indicating this device is not suited for audio entertainment. Own-voice comfort scored 2.6/5, which is slightly above the category average but only mixed in absolute terms—users may notice some occlusion effect. The device uses a closed dome coupling with an integrated receiver and proprietary fitting formula, with no adjustment options yielding different results between initial and tuned configurations. The Atom Pro 2 may appeal to budget-conscious shoppers prioritizing feedback-free wear over speech enhancement. However, alternatives like the Linner Saturn or Olive Union Air offer better speech performance at lower prices, while the Elehear Beyond delivers significantly stronger results in the same price range.

The Jabra Enhance Select 700 is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid available for $1,795, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.9/5 in our lab testing. This places it in the top 24% of OTC hearing aids tested, ranking #16 of 63 devices in the category. In our testing, this behind-the-ear device demonstrated notable strengths in own-voice comfort, scoring 3.7/5—a solid result that sits 1.21 points above the category average. This suggests users may experience less of the "talking in a barrel" sensation common with some hearing aids. Feedback handling was excellent at 5.0/5, indicating strong resistance to whistling during typical daily movements. Speech clarity presents a mixed picture. Speech in quiet environments scored a solid 3.1/5, which is 0.46 points above the category average. However, speech in noise scored just 0.8/5, falling 0.33 points below average—a notable limitation for users who frequently encounter noisy environments like restaurants or social gatherings. Music streaming scored 2.5/5, above the category average but only mixed in absolute terms. At this price point, buyers should note that several alternatives in the same price range delivered higher overall scores in our testing, including the Jabra Enhance Select 300 and 500 models. The Enhance Select 700 may appeal to those prioritizing own-voice comfort and feedback-free performance, but users needing strong speech-in-noise performance should consider alternatives.