Jabra Enhance Select 500 vs. MDHearingAid Neo XS

Name: MDHearingAid Neo XS
Brand: MDHearingAid
Price: 397 USD
Availability: InStock

Check out our comparison of the Jabra Enhance Select 500 vs MDHearingAid Neo XS. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

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0.0

Enhance Select 500

$1,695 per pair

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0.0

Neo XS

$397 per pair

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Product Overview

Form Factor

Receiver In The EarForm FactorThis type of hearing aid sits behind the ear. A wire runs along the top of the ear and down to a speaker sitting inside the ear canal. An custom-fitted mold may be required.

Completely In the CanalForm FactorThis type of custom-fitted hearing aid is mostly hidden inside the ear. In people with smaller ear canals this type of hearing aid may not be possible. This type of aid is often fitted without directional microphones or telecoils.

Expert Rating

Score

0.0

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User Rating

3.7

2 reviews

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Hearing Loss LevelHearing Loss LevelThis represents HearingTracker's best guess on suitability. Please consult a licensed audiologist to confirm your own candidacy for this device.

MildModerateSevereProfound

Product Features

Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68

Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoil

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

Enhance Select 500

Neo XS

Enhance Select 500

4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

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.

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Neo XS

2.8BELOW AVERAGE

Neo XS is an instant-fit in-ear OTC hearing aid that offers improvements in MDHearing's product line in terms of rechargeable battery life, audio processing, and size. However, our lab testing found its performance underwhelming.

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Enhance Select 500

4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

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.

Neo XS

2.5BELOW AVERAGE

MDHearing Neo XS achieved a SoundScore of 2.47/5 and a SoundGrade of C in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #47 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

Enhance Select 500

5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Neo XS

3.8BELOW AVERAGE

Neo XS do not have an ingress rating but they appear to be well built. The charging case feels sturdy and should offer good protection when Neo XS are recharging or otherwise not in use.

Enhance Select 500

4.6EXCELLENT

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.

Neo XS

4.0AVERAGE

Neo XS offers internal rechargeable batteries lasting up to 18 hours. This should be enough to get you through your day without needing a recharge.

Enhance Select 500

5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Neo XS

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Enhance Select 500

4.5EXCELLENT

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.

Neo XS

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Enhance Select 500

5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Neo XS

3.5BELOW AVERAGE

Neo XS are relatively comfortable in ear. However, using the button caused minor discomfort as it required some force which pushed the hearing aid deeper into my ear.

Enhance Select 500

5.0EXCELLENT

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.

Neo XS

4.0BELOW AVERAGE

Neo XS are smaller than other MDHearing aids and many OTC products. If you are interested in discrete hearing aids Neo XS are nearly invisible in your ears.

Enhance Select 500

3.8AVERAGE

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

Neo XS

3.3BELOW AVERAGE

MDHearing Neo XS has a value score of 3.4/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Enhance Select 500

4.5EXCELLENT

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.

Neo XS

3.0BELOW AVERAGE

Neo XS are relatively small hearing aids which may be difficult for individuals with vision and or dexterity issues. This should not be a problem for most but MDHearing does offer assistance from licensed professionals if needed.

Enhance Select 500

3.0ABOVE AVERAGE

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.

Neo XS

2.0BELOW AVERAGE

MDHearing does not offer in-person support or remote programming. You do however receive free lifetime phone and online help from their licensed hearing professionals. This is a nice offering especially if you are new to hearing aids.

Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments

Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments

Streaming MusicStreaming MusicStreaming music provides a full range of bass and treble

HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.

Accessories

Compatible accessories for each hearing aid

3.5mm Line to Streaming

Multi Mic

3.5mm Line to Streaming+3

A flexible remote microphone that can either be clipped to clothes or used as a tabletop mic for meetings. Use the mini-jack input for streaming audio from a music player to your hearing aids.

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Bluetooth Streamer

Unite Phone Clip+

Bluetooth Streamer+2

Small enough to clip onto your shirt collar, it streams phone calls and audio to your hearing aids from any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone or smartphone.

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FM to Digital Streaming

Multi Mic

FM to Digital Streaming+3

A flexible remote microphone that can either be clipped to clothes or used as a tabletop mic for meetings. Use the mini-jack input for streaming audio from a music player to your hearing aids.

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Remote Control

Unite Phone Clip+

Remote Control+2

Small enough to clip onto your shirt collar, it streams phone calls and audio to your hearing aids from any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone or smartphone.

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Remote Microphone

Multi Mic

Remote Microphone+3

A flexible remote microphone that can either be clipped to clothes or used as a tabletop mic for meetings. Use the mini-jack input for streaming audio from a music player to your hearing aids.

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Smartphone Streamer + Hands Free

Unite Phone Clip+

Smartphone Streamer + Hands Free+2

Small enough to clip onto your shirt collar, it streams phone calls and audio to your hearing aids from any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone or smartphone.

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Telecoil Streamer

Multi Mic

Telecoil Streamer+3

A flexible remote microphone that can either be clipped to clothes or used as a tabletop mic for meetings. Use the mini-jack input for streaming audio from a music player to your hearing aids.

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TV Streamer

Unite TV Streamer 2

TV Streamer

Streams stereo sound from the television directly to your hearing aids from up to 22 feet away.

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Hardware

Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.

Made for iPhone (MFi)
Android (ASHA)
Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
Bluetooth® Auracast™

Hands-Free CallingHands-Free CallingIt is possible to have a hands-free phone call with this hearing aid. You are not required to hold the phone up to your mouth.

Made for iPhone (MFi)
Android (ASHA)

IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.

IP68

Mic + Speaker In EarMic + Speaker In EarPlacing a microphone in the ear allows hearing aids to measure the effect that your pinna (outer ear) has on the sound arriving at your eardrum. This may allow the hearing aid to better emulate the natural sound of your ear.

Yes

Push ButtonPush ButtonThe hearing aid features a push button which allows toggling across different sound processing programs

Program control
Volume Control

Program control
Volume Control

Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable BatteriesCharge your batteries overnight in a docking station and get a full day's use (in most cases) of battery life the following day.

Lithium-ion

Tap ControlsTap ControlsThe hearing aid may be controlled by physically tapping it with your fingers.

Accept/end calls

Software Features

Adjustment BandsAdjustment BandsThese are frequency-divided sections that can be adjusted in a hearing aid in order to amplify sounds. Although there are rarely more than 10 frequencies measured in a hearing assessment, having more bands that can be adjusted may allow for improved speech understanding and user comfort.

DirectionalityDirectionalityDepending on the types and number of microphones a hearing aid has, the hearing aid may be able to boost sounds from specific directions (by reducing sounds from other directions). This can be helpful to focus on a speaker directly in front of the hearing aid user, as well as to give the user information about where different sounds are coming from.

Yes

Environmental AdaptationEnvironmental AdaptationThe hearing aid can detect different acoustical environments, like speech in noise, and adjust the sound of the hearing aid accordingly to drive comfort or speech understanding, etc.

Yes

ExpansionExpansionExpansion reduces audibility for very soft sounds. This can help to remove microphone noise, which is generated by soft environmental sounds.

3 settings

Feedback SuppressionFeedback SuppressionIf any sound amplified by the hearing aid escapes the ear canal, it may reach the hearing aid’s own microphone and cause a harsh whistling noise. Some hearing aids are able to recognize when this feedback occurs and reduce or eliminate it.

Yes

Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)

Fully flexible programs: 4

New User AdaptationNew User AdaptationProvider may set the hearing aid to gradually get louder over the first few weeks or months of a new hearing aid fitting. This can be convenient for new users who want to experience maximum benefit without making a lot of trips to the provider for tune ups.

Yes

Noise ReductionNoise ReductionThis feature uses modern hearing aids’ processing power to examine the incoming sound signal, determine if noise is present and reduce the volume of the troublesome sound to increase comfort.

NoiseTracker™ II: 2 settings

Yes

Sudden Loud Noise ReductionSudden Loud Noise ReductionThis feature detects loud sounds and reduces their volume to a comfortable level. Though not a replacement for hearing protection, this technology can greatly improve listener comfort.

Impulse Noise Reduction: On/Off

Tinnitus ReliefTinnitus ReliefTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.

Yes

Wind Noise ReductionWind Noise ReductionAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.

Wind Guard: On/Off

Independent. Unbiased.

Product reviews.