Jabra Enhance Select 700 vs Olive Union Max

The Jabra Enhance Select 700 is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid available at $1,795, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.8/5 in our lab testing. This behind-the-ear device ranks #26 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 38% of the category. In our testing, the Enhance Select 700 showed notable strengths in comfort-related metrics. Own-voice comfort scored a solid 3.7/5, measuring 1.19 points above the category average—a meaningful advantage for wearers sensitive to the sound of their own voice. Feedback handling was excellent at 5.0/5, well above the 4.54 category average, indicating reliable stability during typical wear. Speech performance presented a mixed picture. Speech in quiet scored a solid 3.1/5, sitting 0.27 points above average. However, speech in noise was a weakness at 1.0/5, falling 0.48 points below the category average—an important consideration if challenging listening environments are a priority. Music streaming scored 2.5/5, which is above the category average by 0.58 points but only mixed in absolute terms. At this price point, several alternatives delivered stronger overall performance in our testing, including the Lucid Tala (4.61/5) and Audicus Omni 2 (4.59/5). The Jabra Enhance Select 300 and Lucid Engage also achieved higher scores at lower prices. The Enhance Select 700 may suit those prioritizing own-voice comfort and feedback stability over speech-in-noise performance, but shoppers should weigh these trade-offs carefully given the premium pricing.

The Olive Union Max is a behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid priced at $190, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.4/5 in HearAdvisor's lab testing. This budget-friendly device ranks #41 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested. In our lab testing, the Max shows a distinctive performance profile with clear strengths and limitations. Music streaming stands out with a strong 4.0/5 score, measuring 2.08 points above the OTC category average—making it one of the better choices for audio entertainment. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning the device maintains stability without whistling during typical daily activities. However, speech performance presents challenges. Speech in quiet scores a mixed 2.6/5, falling 0.21 points below the category average, while speech in noise is low at 1.0/5, measuring 0.48 points below average. Own-voice comfort also scores low at 1.6/5, sitting 0.91 points below the category average—users may notice their own voice sounds unnatural or hollow. The Olive Union Max is best suited for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize music and media streaming over demanding listening environments. Those who frequently need to follow conversations in noisy settings like restaurants or social gatherings may find the speech-in-noise limitations frustrating. For basic amplification in quieter environments with excellent streaming quality at an accessible price point, the Max offers reasonable value despite its speech performance trade-offs.