Jabra Enhance Select 200 vs MDHearing Neo XS

The Jabra Enhance Select 200 is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid that earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.9/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 35% of the OTC hearing aid category. At $1,695, this behind-the-ear device offers solid performance in several key areas, though it faces stiff competition from higher-scoring alternatives at similar price points. In our testing, this device showed particular strength in speech clarity during quiet listening situations, scoring 3.5/5—0.67 points above the category average. Own-voice comfort was another highlight at 3.4/5, finishing 0.89 points above average, which suggests users may find their own voice sounds more natural compared to many competitors. Music streaming scored 2.6/5, which is above the category average by 0.68 points but still only mixed in absolute terms. The device's limitations become apparent in challenging listening environments. Speech in noise scored just 1.4/5, slightly below the category average and low in absolute terms—a consideration for users who frequently encounter noisy restaurants or social gatherings. Feedback handling scored 4.0/5, which is strong in absolute terms though 0.54 points below the category average. The Enhance Select 200 has earned Expert's Choice Awards in both 2023 and 2024, reflecting its reliable real-world performance. With Bluetooth streaming for both iPhone and Android, rechargeable batteries, and hands-free capability, it offers modern convenience features. However, shoppers should note that several competitors in this price range—including the Lucid Tala and Audicus Omni 2—scored notably higher in our testing. This device is best suited for users who prioritize speech clarity in quieter environments and own-voice comfort over performance in noisy situations.

The MDHearing Neo XS is a budget OTC hearing aid featuring an invisible-in-ear design, priced at $397. In our lab testing, it earned a C grade with a SoundScore of 2.9/5, ranking #63 of 65 devices in the OTC hearing aid category. This device presents a mixed performance profile. Its standout strength is excellent feedback handling at 5.0/5, scoring 0.46 points above the category average—meaning users should experience minimal whistling or squealing during everyday use. Own-voice comfort is also solid at 3.2/5, sitting 0.69 points above average, which suggests the device manages occlusion reasonably well for its invisible design. However, speech clarity is a significant weakness. Speech in quiet scored just 1.0/5, falling 1.77 points below the category average, while speech in noise scored 1.0/5, sitting 0.48 points below average. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, coming in 1.92 points below average—indicating this device is not suitable for audio entertainment. These low absolute scores mean users may struggle to achieve meaningful speech benefit in our standardized test conditions. The invisible-in-ear form factor and rechargeable batteries offer convenience, but buyers should weigh this against the limited speech performance. Several competitors in the same price range—including the Elehear Beyond (4.34/5) and Apple AirPods Pro 2 (4.04/5)—deliver substantially better sound quality. The Neo XS may appeal to those prioritizing discretion and feedback-free wear over speech clarity, but most users seeking improved communication would benefit from exploring higher-performing alternatives.