Jabra Enhance Select 50R vs. Lucid Hearing Tala

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.

While it features customizable sound settings through the Lucid Hearing app and boasts a 16-hour battery life, it lacks ear-level controls and has subpar Bluetooth audio quality, making it a mixed bag for users.

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.

Lucid Tala achieved a SoundScore of 4.64/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #3 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

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.

Tala is an impressive OTC hearing aid though it does not seem to have the best build quality. I found the plastic casing of Tala and the charging case

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.

Tala hearing aids packs some impressive features, but the build quality isn't great. Both the hearing aids and portable charger appear to be made of thin plastic, which aligns with its lower ingress rating of IP22.

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.

I was pleased to learn that Tala offer audio streaming and hands-free calls for both iOS and Android, but make sure you purchase the right version as they are mobile OS specific. While the audio quality is not great, it is still a great feature to have.

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.

Lucid's app offers many useful features, like the 7-band equalizer LucidShape, and recently received an update improving the overall appearance. You will definitely want to use the app to get the most out of Tala hearing aids.

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).

I found Tala lightweight and had no issues with them fitting and staying in my ears. They are not as occluding as some other earbud-like hearing aids so I felt less plugged, though this can hurt audio performance in various ways.

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.

Tala hearing aids have an interesting earbud-like design that stands out, but it is not the most modern-looking option available. Its bright white color also makes it very noticeable in ear which can be good or bad depending on your preferences.

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

Lucid Tala has a value score of 3.7/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

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.

Tala are easy to use, but they lack physical buttons, so you'll need to use the app for adjustments. The included case also works well, but be careful to place the left and right hearing aids in the correct charging slots.

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.

Lucid is a step above some other OTC companies as they offer lifetime support from licensed professionals. This is not the same as in person can but it is a great addition even for those familiar with hearing aids.