Jabra Enhance Select 300 vs MDHearing Neo XS

The Jabra Enhance Select 300 is a premium OTC hearing aid priced at $1,695 that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing. This behind-the-ear device ranks #17 out of 65 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 25% of its category. In our standardized testing, speech clarity in quiet environments stands out as a notable strength, scoring 3.6/5—a solid result that sits 0.85 points above the category average. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users should experience stable performance without whistling during typical wear. Own-voice comfort also performs well at 3.5/5, nearly a full point above average, which can contribute to a more natural listening experience. Speech understanding in noisy environments presents a limitation, scoring 1.5/5—essentially at the category average but low in absolute terms. This is a common challenge across OTC devices, though users seeking strong noise performance may want to compare alternatives. Music streaming scores 2.6/5, which is above the category average by 0.68 points but mixed in absolute quality. The Enhance Select 300 offers rechargeable batteries and streaming compatibility with both iPhone and Android devices, along with hands-free functionality. It has earned Expert's Choice Awards in both 2023 and 2024. Shoppers in this price range should note that alternatives like the Lucid Tala and Audicus Omni 2 score higher overall, while options like the Jabra Enhance Pro 20 at Costco offer similar sound quality at a lower price point. This device is best suited for those prioritizing speech clarity in quieter settings and stable, feedback-free performance.

The MDHearing Neo XS is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid in the invisible-in-ear style, available for $397. In HearAdvisor lab testing, it earned a C grade with a SoundScore of 2.9/5, ranking #63 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested. Performance results reveal a mixed profile. The Neo XS shows strength in own-voice comfort, scoring 3.2/5—0.69 points above the category average—meaning wearers may experience less of the "boomy" quality that can accompany hearing aid use. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, sitting 0.46 points above average, so users should experience stable performance without whistling during typical wear. However, speech clarity is a significant limitation. Speech in quiet scores just 1.0/5, falling 1.77 points below the OTC category average. Speech in noise also scores 1.0/5, 0.48 points below average. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, which is 1.92 points below the category average—this device is not suited for audio entertainment. At this price point, several alternatives offer notably stronger performance. The Elehear Beyond (4.36/5), Apple AirPods Pro 2 (4.06/5), and Zepp Clarity Omni (3.88/5) all deliver better overall sound quality in the same price range. The Neo XS may appeal to those prioritizing own-voice comfort and feedback stability over speech intelligibility, but most users seeking meaningful hearing benefit should consider higher-scoring options.