Jabra Enhance Select 300 vs Starkey Edge AI RIC

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 Starkey Edge AI RIC is a premium prescription hearing aid released in 2024, priced at $5,000. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, ranking #18 among 36 prescription hearing aids tested. This behind-the-ear device demonstrates particular strength in speech clarity, scoring 4.1/5 for speech in quiet—0.76 points above the category average. Music streaming is a standout feature at 3.8/5, a solid score that sits 1.16 points above the prescription hearing aid average. Speech in noise performance scores 2.6/5, which is above the category average by 0.69 points but remains mixed in absolute terms, reflecting the inherent challenge of understanding speech in noisy environments. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.7/5, essentially matching the category average. Own-voice comfort scores 2.8/5, slightly above average but mixed overall—a common trade-off in hearing aids optimized for audibility. The device responded well to professional fitting, with the normalized Tuned Score reaching 4.7/5 compared to 4.2/5 at initial fit, a meaningful 0.5-point improvement. The Edge AI RIC earned HearAdvisor's 2024 Expert's Choice Award and offers iPhone and Android streaming with hands-free capability. At its premium price point, buyers should note that several competitors in the same price range achieve higher overall scores, including the Phonak Sphere Infinio (5.0/5) and Oticon Intent (4.85/5). This device may appeal to users who prioritize Starkey's ecosystem, strong speech-in-quiet performance, and above-average music streaming quality.