Jabra Enhance Select 700 vs Starkey Genesis AI

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 Starkey Genesis AI is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid released in 2023, priced at $4,798. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.7/5, ranking #33 of 39 prescription hearing aids tested. In our testing, the Genesis AI demonstrated excellent feedback handling, scoring a perfect 5.0/5—0.28 points above the category average. This makes it exceptionally stable during movement and physical activities. Speech in quiet performance is solid at 3.5/5, sitting 0.05 points above the category average. Speech in noise scores 2.3/5, which is 0.21 points above the category average but remains mixed in absolute terms. Own-voice comfort is a weaker area, scoring 2.2/5—0.50 points below the category average. Users sensitive to the sound of their own voice may notice this limitation. Music streaming quality is mixed at 2.8/5, essentially matching the category average with a +0.04 point difference. The Genesis AI shows meaningful improvement with professional tuning, with the normalized score rising from 3.5/5 at initial fit to 4.2/5 when tuned—a 0.8-point gain. The device offers rechargeable batteries and streaming compatibility with both iPhone and Android, plus hands-free functionality. However, at this premium price point, several competitors in the same range deliver notably higher sound performance scores, which prospective buyers should consider when evaluating options.