HearingAssist Eaze vs Jabra Enhance Select 500

The HearingAssist Eaze is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.4/5 in our lab testing. At $399, it positions itself as an affordable behind-the-ear option in the crowded OTC market, ranking #43 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested. In our testing, the Eaze showed mixed results across performance categories. Its standout strength is excellent feedback handling, scoring a perfect 5.0/5—0.46 points above the category average. This means users can expect stable performance without whistling during typical daily activities. However, speech performance is a weakness: speech in quiet scored 2.6/5 (0.20 points below average) and speech in noise scored just 1.3/5 (also 0.20 points below average), which may limit benefit in challenging listening environments. The most significant limitation is music streaming, which scored 0.0/5—nearly 2 points below the category average of 1.92/5. Consumers who prioritize streaming audio from their phones should consider alternatives. Own-voice comfort also scored below average at 2.2/5, which may affect how natural users sound to themselves. At this price point, buyers have several higher-scoring alternatives to consider, including the Elehear Beyond (4.34/5) and Apple AirPods Pro 2 (4.04/5). The Eaze may suit budget-conscious consumers who prioritize feedback-free wear over streaming capability and don't frequently encounter noisy environments.

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.