Jabra Enhance Select 300 vs. JLab Hear OTC

The Jabra Enhance Select 300 is a mid-level, over-the-counter (OTC) receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid introduced in late 2023, designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.

The JLab HEAR OTC Hearing Aid offers an affordable and user-friendly solution for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, featuring customizable sound settings and a sleek design. Extensive testing reveals its effective performance in various environments, making it a reliable choice for everyday use.

Jabra Enhance Select 300 achieved a SoundScore of 4.1/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #17 of 65 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.68/5.

JLab Hear OTC achieved a SoundScore of 3.5/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #36 of 65 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.68/5.

Quality is fantastic when it comes to Jabra hearing aids as they share technology from GN Resound. Select 300 have a solid ingress rating of IP68 and the portable charging case will have no problems handling daily use.

The portable charger is flimsy and HEAR have a lower egress rating of IPX4. However, with some extra care and cleaning they should hold up to regular daily use.

Jabra have really 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.

HEAR do not offer enough power for all-day use with a battery life of 10 hours (less with streaming). The battery life is however respectable for a wireless earbud.

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.

HEAR offer wireless connectivity for both iOS and Android users. I personally experienced stable streaming and phone calls with my iPhone 12.

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.

The JLab Hearing Health app offers a nice feature set for personalization. Some elements could be more user friendly, but it makes sense after a little troubleshooting.

I found 300 very comfortable given their smaller lightweight design. The button also has an improved ridge for easier use compared to previous generations.

HEAR are comfortable and had good retention in my ears. They completely seal your ear when worn properly but feel less “plugging” as they are lightweight.

Jabra has done a nice job redesigning prescription technology for the direct-to-consumer market. Select 300 is sleek, with a range of stylish colors, and sat discretely behind my ear.

This is highly personalized, but HEAR look like modern earbuds and distance themselves from the negative stigma some attribute to hearing aids.

Jabra Enhance Select 300 has a value score of 3.9/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

JLab Hear OTC has a value score of 5.0/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

300 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.

I ran into a few issues with my initial Bluetooth pairing but HEAR and the touch controls work well otherwise.

Jabra has arguably the best pro support offering among OTC devices, providing telehealth with hearing care providers, remote programming, and tech support.

JLab falls short on actual hearing care as help is limited to their online Help Center and or standard Customer Support.