Eargo Link vs. Jabra Enhance Select 700

The Link by Eargo is an over-the-counter hearing aid designed to offer discreet and user-friendly hearing enhancement. It features advanced sound processing technology, competitive pricing, and has been positively reviewed by independent labs for its performance and reliability.

Jabra’s flagship Enhance Select 700 offers premium sound, LE Audio, Auracast, and top-tier remote audiology care in a tiny, discreet design.

The Eargo Link achieved a SoundGrade of B and ranked in the top 23% in the OTC Hearing Aid category. With a SoundScore of 4.00/5, it performs above the category average of 3.43, demonstrating competitive overall sound quality in HearAdvisor's standardized testing protocol.

Jabra Enhance Select 700 achieved a SoundScore of 3.91/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #16 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

The Eargo Link seem to be a slight regression in build quality and have an IP54 rating, which is lower than other Eargo models. This means they are not water-proof and will require extra care to continue working well long term.

Jabra hearing aids share technology from GN Resound and generally have fantastic build quality. Select 700 is no exception with an ingress rating of IP68 and the standard robust portable charging case.

I liked the portable charging case and magnetic locks. However, the 9 hour rechargeable battery life means they will not last all day and will be better suited for situational use rather than all-day hearing help.

Jabra 700 offer full-day 24 hour battery life. The case also holds enough power for 3 addition charges which is plenty for a weekend excursion.

I was impressed with Eargo Link's audio quality for both streaming and hands-free calls. The Bluetooth 5.3 compatibility is a significant upgrade from Eargo's other products that don't support streaming.

Bluetooth was straightforward and reliable, working seamlessly without any issues. This is what I've come to expect with Jabra hearing aids.

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The Jabra Enhance App mirrors the useful features available in Resounds prescription hearing aid app. I found it to offer plenty of options to personalize audio quality beyond the custom programming.

Link were moderately comfortable in my ears and feel like typical wireless earbuds. I was able to switch through the included ear tips to find the right fit for both comfort and sound quality.

Jabra Enhance 700 are very comfortable given their shockingly small and lightweight design. The button are also larger than many OTC products making setting changes easier.

With their modern earbud-like appearance, Link is definitely more bold than other Eargo models. While I like the earbud look, you will have to decide whether you prefer a more discrete hearing aid option.

Jabra has done a nice job redesigning prescription technology for the direct-to-consumer market. Select 700 shares the same shockingly discrete size as the previous Select 500 model.

The Eargo Link offers solid performance for its $799 price point, though several competitors in the same price range achieve higher scores.

Jabra Enhance Select 700 has a value score of 3.7/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Instead of typical multi-function buttons, Link uses touch sensors. These worked well, and more reliably than other products I've tested, though the app would be a nice addition for manual controls.

I found Enhance 700 easy to use, though receiver-in-canal devices might take a bit of practice. Pro support can assist, and the easy charging case makes on-the-go charging a breeze.

Eargo is one of the first direct to consumer hearing aids, but support is unfortunately limited to to their Client Care team and personal hearing professionals. While Eargo claims they work alongside audiologists, it is not the same as direct professional hearing care.

Jabra has arguably the best pro support offering among OTC devices. They provide 3 years of telehealth audiologic services including remote programming and video appointments. While I'd prefer in-person appointments, Jabra continues to bridge the gap given the limitations of remote care.