Jabra Enhance Select 500 vs. Jabra Enhance Select 50R

The Jabra Enhance Select 500 earned a SoundGrade of A and ranked in the top 5% of devices tested by HearAdvisor. With GN Resound technology, it has an IP68 rating, 30-hour battery life, and reliable Bluetooth. While streaming audio quality was not high-fidelity, the Jabra Enhance App offers good audio personalization. The device includes telehealth and remote programming, though support response times were slower than expected. Lightweight and compact, with larger buttons for ease of use, the receiver-in-canal design may take some adjustment.

The Jabra Enhance Select 50R is a rechargeable, over-the-counter hearing aid designed for mild to moderate hearing loss, offering features such as iPhone and Android streaming, automatic sound adjustments, and wireless app control.

The Jabra Enhance Select 500 achieved a SoundGrade of A and ranked #9 in the OTC Hearing Aid category, placing it in the top 14% of the 56 OTC devices tested by HearAdvisor.

Jabra Enhance Select 50R achieved a SoundScore of 3.82/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #19 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

Quality is fantastic when it comes to Jabra hearing aids as they share technology from GN Resound. Select 500 have a solid ingress rating of IP68 and the portable charging case will have no problems handling daily use.

50R has an ingress rating of IP68 indicating it has excellent protection against moisture and debris. My hands-on experience with these devices supports that and their overall quality build.

Jabra have stepped up their game with a 30 hour battery life, ensuring you get through the day even with streaming. The case also holds enough power for 3 addition charges which is plenty for a weekend excursion.

50R has a remarkable reported battery life of 30 hours and you can expect around 3 hours of recharge time. One complaint I have with 50R is the older style tabletop charger. It works well but it does not have a lid or offer on-the-go charging.

Bluetooth was straightforward and reliable, working seamlessly without any issues. While the streamed audio quality has improved, it needs work before I'd consider it hi-fidelity.

50R does offer audio streaming for both iOS and Android though it is not the highest fidelity. However, I will take the low-quality audio streaming over none at all. If you need hands-free calling you will want to look at other Jabra hearing products.

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

Jabra’s phone app offers fantastic customization and is easily navigated with their logical tab organization. This comes straight from their prescription hearing aid ties.

I found 500 very comfortable given their shockingly small and lightweight design. The button are also larger than many OTC products making setting changes easier.

50R is a rather sleek receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid. Its comfort is consistent with prescription like products and I experienced no issues wearing it long-term (even with glasses).

Jabra has done a nice job redesigning prescription technology for the direct-to-consumer market. Select 500 is sleek, with a range of stylish colors, and sat discretely behind my ear.

50R has the look and design of a prescription hearing aid, albeit slightly older in design compared to the latest devices. Regardless, it is sleek and nearly invisible behind the ear.

The Jabra Enhance Select 500 offers above-average sound performance, though similar results are available at lower price points in the OTC category.

Jabra Enhance Select 50R has a value score of 3.9/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

500 are 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.

50R works well but some may find the physical button on the smaller side. Otherwise, it offers a good tactile feel with a clear click when depressed.

Jabra has arguably the best pro support offering among OTC devices, providing telehealth with hearing care providers, remote programming, and tech support. However, the support I received while trying Select 500 was slower than expected.

50R is a step above most OTC devices offering both technical support and virtual-care with hearing care providers. Direct care should not be overlooked as it is often key to long-term hearing aid success.