JLab Hear OTC vs. Orka Two
Check out our comparison of the JLab Hear OTC vs Orka Two. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.
Product Overview
Expert Ratings
Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.
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.
Read full reviewThe Orka Two hearing aids offer sleek, modern design and advanced wireless features, including Bluetooth connectivity and hands-free calling for both iOS and Android devices. However, despite their AI-based noise reduction technology, they underperform in noisy environments and come with a relatively high price tag of $1,899, making them less ideal for those with severe hearing loss or those who require extensive in-person care.
Read full reviewJLab Hear OTC achieved a SoundScore of 3.65/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #26 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.
The Orka Two achieved a SoundGrade of B and ranked in the top 62% in the Prescription Hearing Aid category. While solid, this mid-tier positioning means several competitors in the same price range deliver stronger overall sound performance in HearAdvisor's standardized testing.
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.
Orka Two have a published ingress rating of IPX6, meaning they have some moisture protection but they are not waterproof. They appear very well built, nearly on par with prescription hearing aids.
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.
Orka Two are rechargeable and you can expect up to 12 hours of battery life per charge. This is less than many modern hearing aids and may limit all-day use for some. The case does offer on-the-go power which takes only 1.5 hours for a full recharge.
HEAR offer wireless connectivity for both iOS and Android users. I personally experienced stable streaming and phone calls with my iPhone 12.
Orka has made sure their hearing aid offers excellent Bluetooth features for both iOS and Android users. You can expect wireless streaming, app control, and hands free calls across both platforms.
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.
Orka Two's app is a nice addition with many useful features, such as personalization through an app-based hearing assessment.
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.
Orka Two are very comfortable thanks to their smaller size and ergonomic design. Their team of hearing care professionals can also assist you in optimizing comfort based on the available earwire and ear tip sizes.
This is highly personalized, but HEAR look like modern earbuds and distance themselves from the negative stigma some attribute to hearing aids.
These hearing aids appear very modern and have a sleek design similar to Apple products.
JLab Hear OTC has a value score of 5.0/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
The Orka Two offers moderate value, though higher-scoring devices are available at this price point.
I ran into a few issues with my initial Bluetooth pairing but HEAR and the touch controls work well otherwise.
Orka Two are fairly easy to use, though the receiver-in-canal style may require some practice for people just starting out. While these hearing aids do not have physical buttons, the portable charging case does offering you options beyond their nifty tap-controls.
JLab falls short on actual hearing care as help is limited to their online Help Center and or standard Customer Support.
Orka offer relatively good pro support for an OTC company. You receive unlimited remote support and adjustments from their team of licensed hearing care professionals.
Lab Recordings
Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.
Accessories
Compatible accessories for each hearing aid
Health App
The Orka Health App is designed to optimize the performance of your Orka hearing device. It's your one-stop solution for everything you need - real-time adjustments, connections with hearing professionals, available anytime, anywhere.
Charging case
The charging case includes a program button to switch between normal and noise programs and a volume up and down button.
Charging case
The charging case includes a program button to switch between normal and noise programs and a volume up and down button.
Health App
The Orka Health App is designed to optimize the performance of your Orka hearing device. It's your one-stop solution for everything you need - real-time adjustments, connections with hearing professionals, available anytime, anywhere.
Health App
The Orka Health App is designed to optimize the performance of your Orka hearing device. It's your one-stop solution for everything you need - real-time adjustments, connections with hearing professionals, available anytime, anywhere.
Charging case
The charging case includes a program button to switch between normal and noise programs and a volume up and down button.
Health App
The Orka Health App is designed to optimize the performance of your Orka hearing device. It's your one-stop solution for everything you need - real-time adjustments, connections with hearing professionals, available anytime, anywhere.
Hardware
- Bluetooth® (A2DP)
- SBC
- AAC
- Bluetooth® (A2DP)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
- Bluetooth® (HFP)
- Bluetooth® (HFP)
- Change program
- Accept/end calls
- Accept/end calls