Go Hearing Go Prime vs Jabra Enhance Select 500

The Go Hearing Go Prime is a budget OTC hearing aid priced at $299, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.3/5 in HearAdvisor's lab testing. This visible-in-ear style device ranks #50 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 75% of its category. In our testing, the Go Prime demonstrated excellent feedback handling, scoring a perfect 5.0/5—notably 0.46 points above the category average. This means users can expect stable performance without the whistling that can plague some hearing aids. Speech clarity in quiet environments measured at a mixed 2.7/5, slightly below the category average. Speech understanding in noisy situations scored low at 1.1/5, falling 0.39 points below average, suggesting this device may struggle in challenging listening environments like restaurants or social gatherings. The Go Prime's most significant limitation is its music streaming capability, which scored 0.0/5—nearly 2 points below the category average. Users who prioritize phone-streamed audio should consider alternatives. Own-voice comfort also scored low at 1.8/5, which may result in a "boomy" quality when speaking. At this price point, several competitors offer stronger overall performance, including the Elehear Beyond and Apple AirPods Pro 2. However, for budget-conscious consumers who primarily need basic amplification in quieter settings and value feedback-free operation, the Go Prime offers a functional entry point. The rechargeable batteries add convenience for daily use.

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. Ranking #13 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested, it places in the top 18% of its category. This 2024 release demonstrates strong speech-in-quiet performance, scoring 4.3/5—a full 1.50 points above the OTC category average. Speech-in-noise scores 1.8/5, which is above the category average by 0.31 points but remains low in absolute terms, reflecting a common challenge across OTC devices. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.6/5, slightly above the already-high category average. Music streaming scores 2.9/5, which is 0.98 points above the category average but only mixed in absolute terms—adequate for casual listening but not audiophile-quality. Own-voice comfort at 2.2/5 falls 0.31 points below the category average, which may be noticeable for users sensitive to how their voice sounds. The Enhance Select 500 supports iPhone and Android streaming, hands-free calling, and uses rechargeable batteries. It's a solid choice for those prioritizing clear speech in quieter environments and reliable feedback control. However, buyers seeking better value might consider the Jabra Enhance Select 300 or Lucid Engage, which offer similar sound performance at lower price points. This model has earned HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award in both 2023 and 2024.