Jabra Enhance Select 200 vs Sony CRE-C20

The Jabra Enhance Select 200 is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.9/5 in our lab testing, ranking in the top 35% of OTC devices. At $1,695, it sits at the higher end of the OTC market and has earned HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award in both 2023 and 2024. This behind-the-ear device delivers its strongest performance in speech clarity during quiet environments, scoring 3.5/5—a solid result that sits 0.67 points above the OTC category average. Own-voice comfort is another highlight at 3.4/5, which is 0.89 points above average, meaning wearers are less likely to experience the bothersome "talking in a barrel" sensation. Music streaming scores 2.6/5, which is 0.68 points above the category average, though still mixed in absolute terms. The device shows some limitations in challenging listening situations. Speech in noise performance is low at 1.4/5, sitting slightly below the category average. Feedback handling scores a strong 4.0/5 in absolute terms, though this falls 0.54 points below the OTC average of 4.54/5. The Enhance Select 200 includes modern conveniences like rechargeable batteries and streaming compatibility with both iPhone and Android devices, plus hands-free calling capability. However, budget-conscious shoppers should note that several devices in this price range—including the Lucid Tala and Audicus Omni 2—achieve higher scores, and alternatives like the Lucid Engage offer similar sound quality at lower prices. This device is best suited for listeners who prioritize clear speech in quieter settings and natural own-voice quality over performance in noisy environments.

The Sony CRE-C20 is an invisible-in-ear OTC hearing aid priced at $999, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.6/5 in our lab testing. This mid-priced device offers a discreet form factor with rechargeable batteries, positioning it in the upper tier of the OTC market. In our testing, the CRE-C20 demonstrates notable strengths in speech clarity. Speech in quiet scores 4.1/5—a strong result that sits 1.33 points above the OTC category average. Speech in noise performance reaches 2.7/5, which is 1.24 points above the category average, though only mixed in absolute terms. Own voice comfort scores 2.9/5, slightly above average for the category at +0.39 points. The device shows significant limitations in other areas. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, falling 1.92 points below the category average—this invisible-in-ear design does not support audio streaming functionality. Feedback handling registers at 3.9/5, which is solid in absolute terms, though 0.64 points below the category average of 4.54/5. The CRE-C20 demonstrates meaningful improvement with proper adjustment. The normalized Initial Score of 3.4/5 improves to 4.2/5 when tuned, suggesting users who invest time in optimization will see better results. Within its price range, alternatives like the Sony CRE-E10 (4.69/5) and Lexie B2 Plus (4.43/5) score higher overall. The CRE-C20 is best suited for users prioritizing discretion and speech clarity who don't need music streaming capabilities.