Jabra Enhance Plus vs Jabra Enhance Select 500

The Jabra Enhance Plus is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid ($799) that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.8/5 in our lab testing, ranking #28 of 65 devices in the OTC category. This visible-in-ear device delivers strong speech-in-quiet performance, scoring 4.2/5—a full 1.36 points above the category average. Music streaming is another highlight at 3.8/5, nearly 1.9 points above average, making it a solid choice for users who value audio quality beyond speech. Speech-in-noise performance scores 2.1/5, which is above the category average by 0.62 points but remains mixed in absolute terms for challenging listening environments. The most significant limitation is own-voice comfort, scoring just 0.3/5—well below the category average of 2.51/5. Users sensitive to how their own voice sounds while wearing hearing aids should consider this trade-off carefully. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.7/5, meaning wearers can expect stable performance without whistling or squealing. The Jabra Enhance Plus is best suited for users who prioritize clear speech in quieter settings and enjoy streaming music or calls to their iPhone. Those frequently in noisy environments or particularly bothered by occlusion effects may want to explore alternatives. Several competitors in the same price range achieve higher overall scores, including the Sony CRE-E10 and Lexie B2 Plus.

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.