Eargo Link vs Jabra Enhance Select 500

The Eargo Link is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 22% of the OTC hearing aid category. At $799, this visible-in-ear style device offers a balance of solid speech performance and exceptional streaming capabilities. In our testing, the Eargo Link demonstrated strong music streaming quality, scoring 2.48 points above the category average—a standout result for consumers who prioritize audio entertainment. Speech in quiet environments also performed well at 0.42 points above average, while speech in noise scored above the category average but remained mixed in absolute terms at 2.0/5. Feedback handling was excellent at 4.7/5. The most notable limitation is own-voice comfort, which scored 1.3/5—significantly below the category average by 1.21 points. Users sensitive to hearing their own voice may find this distracting, particularly with the closed dome configuration used in our tuned fit. The Eargo Link features rechargeable batteries and supports both iPhone and Android streaming with hands-free functionality. It's best suited for consumers who value premium streaming audio quality and solid speech clarity in quieter settings, and who can tolerate some own-voice compromise. Those prioritizing speech in noise or own-voice comfort may want to consider alternatives like the Sony CRE-E10 or Lexie B2 Plus in this price range.

The Jabra Enhance Select 500 is a premium behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid priced at $1,995 that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.2/5 in our lab testing. This places it in the top 18% of the OTC hearing aid category, ranking #13 among 65 tested devices. In our testing, speech clarity in quiet environments stands out as a key strength, scoring 4.3/5—a strong result that measures 1.50 points above the category average. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.6/5, ensuring stable performance during everyday movements. Music streaming quality scores 2.9/5, which is 0.98 points above the category average but only mixed in absolute terms. The device shows some limitations worth noting. Speech understanding in noisy environments scores 1.8/5, which is above the category average by 0.31 points but low in absolute terms—a common challenge across OTC devices. Own-voice comfort scores 2.2/5, falling 0.31 points below the category average, which may be noticeable for users sensitive to how their own voice sounds. This two-time Expert's Choice Award winner (2023, 2024) offers rechargeable batteries and streaming compatibility with both iPhone and Android devices, including hands-free calling. Consumers seeking similar sound quality at a lower price point may want to compare the Jabra Enhance Select 300 or Lucid Engage. The Enhance Select 500 is best suited for those prioritizing strong speech clarity in quieter settings and reliable streaming performance within the premium OTC segment.