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Jabra (formerly Lively) hearing aids offer people a way to receive help for their hearing loss remotely. The purchasing process occurs online, including a hearing test and follow-up care.
- Best for loud environments: Enhance Select 200 | Skip to review
- Best for conversations: Enhance Select 100 | Skip to review
- Best for quiet environments: Enhance Select 50 | Skip to review
- Best over-the-counter option: Enhance Plus | Skip to review
Hearing aid technology is constantly advancing, which could account for their consistently higher costs. That said, some companies offer financing options.
Most health insurance plans do not cover hearing aids, although some may cover partial costs.
Lively Hearing Aids is now known as Jabra Enhance.
Jabra launched in 2019 as an online hearing aid company. Jabra is a worldwide and well-known audio company with over 150 years of sound engineering experience. The two companies teamed up in 2021.
The purchasing process involves taking an online hearing test, after which the company personalizes a hearing aid and sends it to the customer.
Once the customer receives the device, Jabra provides remote audiologist care to make adjustments.
According to the company, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its hearing aids.
If people wish to speak with a company representative, they can call 800-854-2772.
Jabra holds accredited status with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with an A+ rating. This is the highest rating offered by the BBB.
The BBB has 19 reviews for Jabra, giving them an average of 3.63 stars out of a possible 5.
Some positive comments noted that:
- the hearing aids have helped with hearing
- there is a straightforward purchasing process
- the hearing aids are comfortable, affordable
- they work efficiently with the accompanying app
Additionally, Jabra’s customer service is said to be quick, with good online support.
Some less favorable reviews mentioned a high-pressure sales approach, poor customer service, and Bluetooth streaming being unavailable on Android devices.
The rechargeable hearing aid provides 30 hours of sound per charge, and the accompanying portable case provides three additional charges. The battery-operated hearing aid comes with a year’s supply of batteries.
The devices use Bluetooth streaming to provide sound. This technology permits someone to use their phone or tablet to listen to music or take calls. It also reduces background noise, allowing a person to hear conversations more clearly in a louder environment.
The hearing aids are available in various colors, so a person may choose one with which they feel most comfortable.
The accompanying app has customizable settings and controls.
Jabra’s hearing aids come with a 100-day wisk free trial. The company also offers a 1-year warranty for those who choose the basic option and a 3-year warranty for the premium option.
Below, we look at the hearing aids and accessories Jabra offers.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for loud environments: Enhance Select 200
- Price: from $1,795
- Type of hearing aid: receiver-in-canal (RIC)
- Battery type: rechargeable
- Battery life: up to 30 hours of listening
The Enhance Select 200 hearing aids are suitable for people who attend loud events and need to hear multiple people simultaneously. They come in different colors and automatically adjust to the individual’s environment.
Their weight is 2.6 grams (g).
Other features include:
- hands-free calling
- remote adjustments included in the Premium package
- a charging case carrying three full charges
- free mobile app
- noise reduction
The Basic model costs $1,795, and the Premium model costs $1,995. The Premium option provides three years of hearing care, warranty, and protection for loss and damage. The Basic model offers one year of warranty and loss and damage protection.
Pros
- allows hands-free calling
- rechargeable
- easy to put in
- can make multiple voices in loud environments clearer
Cons
- remote adjustments only available with Premium models
- the Basic model offers a 1-year warranty over 3 years with Premium
- the Basic model does not include ongoing professional hearing care
- it does not include skin tone color options
Best for conversations: Enhance Select 100
- Type of hearing aid: RIC
- Price: from $1,495
- Battery type: rechargeable
- Battery life: up to 30 hours
The Enhance Select 100 hearing aids are suitable for people who wish to hear conversations more clearly. They come with Bluetooth connectivity so users can make calls and listen to music.
The hearing aids weigh 2.5 g.
Other features include:
- the Premium model offers personalized sounds based on the hearing test
- a charging case
- remote adjustments are included with the Premium model
- free mobile app
- ear measurement tool
There are Basic and Premium options to choose from. The Basic option offers one year warranty and loss and damage protection. Premium offers three years of warranty, loss and damage protection, and professional hearing care.
The Basic model costs $1,495, and the Premium $1,695.
Pros
- can make conversations clearer
- rechargeable batteries
- includes a music mode
- includes skin tone color options
Cons
- those without a cell phone may not benefit from all the features
- virtual meeting with a specialist only for premium users
- cost may be too high for some
Best for quiet environments: Enhance Select 50
- Type of hearing aid: RIC
- Price: from $1,195
- Battery type: disposable 312 battery
- Battery life: around 5 days
These hearing aids come with noise reduction, Bluetooth streaming, and a 1-year supply of disposable batteries. Users can control the hearing aids via the Jabra app, and they may benefit from:
- sound personalizations if they choose the Premium package
- easy adjustments
- an ear measurement tool
- follow-up care with Premium
Pros
- comes with a 1-year supply of batteries
- Bluetooth streaming
- cleaning tools available
- includes skin tone color options
Con
- no hands-free calling
- disposable batteries are less convenient than rechargeable
- disposable batteries have a negative environmental impact
- follow up only for premium subscribers
Best over-the-counter option: Enhance Plus
- Type of hearing aid: in-the-ear (ITE)
- Price: from $799
- Battery type: rechargeable
- Battery life: 12 hours on one charge
The Jabra Enhance is the company’s over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid. As an ITE model, it is very small and sits inside the ear.
In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that companies
Jabra writes these hearing aids feature medical-grade technology. They use four microphones to reduce background noise and make speech clearer. They can also make music and phone calls easier to hear.
As with its other hearing aids, Jabra’s Enhance Plus model is compatible with its smartphone app. People can switch between modes depending on their environment.
The company website states this model is available on Amazon, at Best Buy, and at certified Jabra Enhance Centers.
Pros
- available OTC
- more affordable than other options
- discreet
- uses medical-grade technology
Cons
- the app does not work with Android devices
- small size may be difficult for people with mobility problems
- only available in two colors, which do not match skin tones
Below is a comparison of the different types of Jabra hearing aids.
| Best for | Type of hearing aid | Battery type | Battery life | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhance Select 200 | loud environments | RIC | rechargeable | up to 30 hours | from $1,795 |
| Enhance Select 100 | conversations | RIC | rechargeable | up to 30 hours | from $1,495 |
| Enhance Select 50 | quiet environments | RIC | disposable | 312 batteries last around 5 days | from $1,195 |
| Enhance Plus | OTC option | ITE | rechargeable | 12 hours on a single charge 35 hours with charging case | from $799 |
To order a hearing aid from Jabra, a person may either upload a hearing test from a doctor or take Jabra’s free online hearing test.
An individual will receive a phone call if the audiologist assessing their test results has questions. When a hearing test indicates someone has mild to moderately severe hearing loss, Jabra considers them a good candidate for the hearing aid.
Once people purchase the device, they must create an account on Jabra’s website and go through the online ordering process.
People can buy some models over the counter from Jabra, Amazon, Best Buy, and certified Jabra Centers.
Follow up care
Follow-up care with Premium models includes one-on-one video meetings with an audiologist for 3 years and ongoing support from Jabra for hearing aid adjustments. If a person buys a Basic hearing aid, they will not get access to Audiology Team care or services.
To access this care, a person needs a phone or tablet with high-speed internet and FaceTime or Skype access.
Jabra hearing aids can cost between $800 and $2,000, but the company does offer financing options. Payments may start from $46 per month.
Most health insurance plans do not cover the cost of hearing aids, but some policies may cover a portion of the cost.
Original Medicare does not cover hearing care, but some Medicare Advantage plans may help with eligible expenses.
Learn more about Medicare Advantage.
Jabra provides free shipping and returns, and the devices have a 1–3 year warranty and a 100-day money-back guarantee.
Hearing aids have several benefits, including but not limited to easing conversational frustration and helping make a person feel more included.
The
According to
Other companies sell similar products, including completely-in-canal (CIC), behind-the-ear (BTE), invisible-in-canal (IIC), and in-the-canal (ITC) models.
| Price range | Battery type | Styles | Warranty | Trials | Financing | Smartphone app | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jabra | $1,195–$1,795 | up to 30 hours | RIC | 1–3 years | 100 days | available | available |
| Eargo | $1,650–$2,950 | rechargeable | CIC | 1–2 years | 45 days | available | available |
| Phonak | $2,100–$4,260 | rechargeable | • BTE • RIC • ITE • IIC | 1 year | 30 days | available | available |
| ReSound | $690–$2,290 | rechargeable | RIE BTE | 1–4 years | none | with some insurance plans | available |
| MD Hearing | $999.98–$1,199.98 | rechargeable | ITC | 1 year | 45-day return | available | available |
The
However, specific symptoms may indicate ear disease is present. The FDA recommends medical attention if any of the following symptoms are present:
- hearing loss in only one ear
- pain or discomfort in an ear
- dizziness
- sudden, swift, worsening hearing loss over the past 3 months
- ringing in one or both ears
- ear wax buildup
- blood, pus, or fluid coming from an ear over the previous 3 months
Different hearing products are suitable for various types and severity of hearing loss. What works for one person may not be suitable for all.
The
- Hearing aids: These devices make sounds louder, which makes them easier for a person to understand.
- Assistive listening devices: Unlike hearing aids, this option helps a person hear sounds involved in specific activities. For example, a telephone amplifier makes it easier to hear the person on the other end of the phone and carry on a conversation.
- Personal sound amplification products: These devices do not involve customized programming or compensate for hearing loss. Instead, they permit those with a standard level of hearing to hear better in certain situations, such as while birdwatching.
- Cochlear implants: These are two-part electronic devices that are appropriate for some individuals with severe hearing loss. A surgeon inserts one part under the skin, and the other part sits behind the ear.
Below are some common questions and answers about Jabra Enhance.
Are Jabra hearing aids good?
Jabra hearing aids are a good option for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. They are more affordable than other brands, and some models are available over the counter. Overall, buyers rate them highly on the Jabra website, and the brand has a good reputation with the Better Business Bureau.
Are Jabra hearing aids just amplifiers?
No, Jabra offers hearing aids.
Jabra hearing aids come with Bluetooth connectivity, are medical-grade, and are for people with hearing impairment. They reduce background noise and amplify speech.
Are Jabra hearing aids waterproof?
Jabra Enhance hearing aids are not waterproof. They have a water protection rating of IP68 for water and dust resistance. They are unsuitable for swimming, showering, or using in a sauna.
Who makes Jabra hearing aids?
GN Hearing makes Jabra hearing aids.
The FDA has approved Jabra hearing aids as safe to use, so a person interested in purchasing one of their devices can feel assured that they meet federal standards.
Individuals may choose from rechargeable or battery-operated devices.
Some modern types of hearing aid, such as those offered by Jabra, work in conjunction with smartphones. Through a specified app or Bluetooth connection, a person may be able to control the function of their hearing device.
Individuals receive online follow-up care through online chat services, such as Skype.