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JLab Hear OTC vs. Signia Pure Charge&Go MaX

Check out our comparison of the JLab Hear OTC vs Signia Pure Charge&Go MaX. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Score
3.9
JLab Hear OTC
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JLab

Hear OTC

SoundScore 3.5/5
$99.99 per pair
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Score
4.3
Signia Pure Charge&Go MaX 7
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Signia

Pure Charge&Go MaX 7

SoundScore 4.3/5
$3,298 per pair
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Hear OTC
$99.99 per pair
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Pure Charge&Go MaX
$3,298 per pair
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Product Overview

Hear OTC
Pure Charge&Go MaX
Form Factor
Form FactorNon-custom earbud style device.
Form 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.
Expert Rating
Score
3.9
Score
4.3
User Rating
3.01 reviews
—
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.
MildModerate
MildModerateSevere
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroid
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

Hear OTC
Pure Charge&Go MaX

HearingTracker Score

Hear OTC
3.9AVERAGE

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 review
Pure Charge&Go MaX
4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

HearAdvisor SoundScore

Hear OTC
3.5BELOW AVERAGE

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.

Pure Charge&Go MaX
4.3ABOVE AVERAGE

Signia Pure Charge&Go MaX achieved a SoundScore of 4.3/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.

Build Quality

Hear OTC
3.8BELOW AVERAGE

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.

Pure Charge&Go MaX
4.9EXCELLENT

Pure MaX have an impressive build quality, featuring a top-of-the-line IP68 ingress rating. I also found their portable charging case robust, though on the larger size.

Battery

Hear OTC
3.0BELOW AVERAGE

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.

Pure Charge&Go MaX
4.4ABOVE AVERAGE

Pure Max hearing aids have a reported battery life of around 30 hours per charge. While less than Signia's previous Pure C&G device, it is still plenty to get you through the day. Recharging takes 3 to 4 hours which can be done overnight while you sleep.

Bluetooth

Hear OTC
5.0EXCELLENT

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

Pure Charge&Go MaX
5.0EXCELLENT

MaX are Bluetooth compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing for audio streaming and hands-free calling.

App Features

Hear OTC
3.3BELOW AVERAGE

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.

Pure Charge&Go MaX
5.0EXCELLENT

Signia's app stands out with its user-friendly interface and modern, appealing design. It includes practical features like the ability to control the focus of your hearing aids and a mask mode to enhance speech clarity. Additionally, the app offers wellness features, utilizing hearing aid motion sensors for activity tracking.

Comfort

Hear OTC
4.5EXCELLENT

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.

Pure Charge&Go MaX
5.0EXCELLENT

I found MaX very comfortable due to their shape and earwire design. Your hearing care provider should ensure they are fitted for optimal comfort and hearing benefit before you leave the office.

Design

Hear OTC
4.0BELOW AVERAGE

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

Pure Charge&Go MaX
4.9EXCELLENT

MaX features a modern, sleek design and is available in a variety of colors, from discreet to bold. This latest generation has a rougher matt finish, which is nice.

Value

Hear OTC
5.0EXCELLENT

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

Pure Charge&Go MaX
3.3BELOW AVERAGE

Signia Pure Charge&Go MaX has a value score of 4.7/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Handling

Hear OTC
4.0AVERAGE

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

Pure Charge&Go MaX
4.5EXCELLENT

I did not run into any issues while using MaX hearing aids. They are very easy to use once setup by your hearing care provider. First-time users may need some practice to get accustomed to inserting the receiver-in-ear style properly.

Pro Support

Hear OTC
1.0BELOW AVERAGE

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

Pure Charge&Go MaX
5.0EXCELLENT

You should receive quality hearing care and support from your provider. The Signia App should enhance your experience with AI assistance and user-friendly virtual appointments, given your provider offers telehealth services.

Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

Hear OTC
Pure Charge&Go MaX
Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Hear OTC
Pure Charge&Go MaX
Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Hear OTC
Pure Charge&Go MaX
Streaming MusicStreaming MusicStreaming music provides a full range of bass and treble
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Hear OTC
Pure Charge&Go MaX

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

Hear OTC
Pure Charge&Go MaX
Battery Charger
None

Pure Charger

This small desktop charger addresses basic needs when it comes to providing power to the hearing aids. 2 LEDs indicate the charging status (one per hearing aid). The Pure Charger can be plugged into the mains via USB to a power adapter.

Pure Portable Charger+1

This charger offers comfort and charging on the go. Its power bank allows for 3 full charges of a pair of hearing aids. A lid protects the hearing aids and prevents dust accumulating in the charger. 2 LEDs indicate the charging status (one per hearing aid) and one for the integrated power bank. All of the chargers are available with the power plug.

Pure Dry&Clean Charger+1

The Pure Dry&Clean Charger not only charges the hearing aids but also offers UVC cleaning and drying technology to keep the hearing aids in peak condition. The UVC cleaning starts automatically when the hearing aids are placed inside and is completed in just 15 minutes. 3 LEDs per hearing aid indicate their charging status and an additional LED indicates the cleaning status. The Pure Dry&Clean Charger also has a lid to ensure optimal cleaning and storage of the hearing aids.

Multi-Charger

Stationary Signia charger compatible with multiple hearing aids.

Remote Control
None

miniPocket

Enables push-button remote control of hearing aid functions.

Signia One App+2

Smartphone app for Signia MaX hearing aid controls, audio-streaming settings, Signia Assistant, and TeleCare.

TV Streamer
None

StreamLine TV

Streams television sound to hearing aids over a distance of up to 30 feet (10 meters).

TV Sound+1

The Signia TV Sound is a high-quality stereo audio streaming device designed to deliver clear TV audio directly to Bluetooth-enabled Signia hearing aids. It connects to a TV via an analog or optical cable and requires a USB power source. Pairing is simple—users turn on the device, restart their hearing aids, and place them within 20 cm to establish a connection. Once paired, audio streaming can be controlled via the Signia app, allowing users to start, pause, and adjust the volume effortlessly. This device enhances the TV listening experience for Signia hearing aid users by providing direct, latency-free sound transmission.

Hardware

Hear OTC
Pure Charge&Go MaX
AccelerometerAccelerometerThis hearing aid is capable of measuring acceleration through an embedded sensor.
No
Yes
Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.
  • Bluetooth® (A2DP)
  • SBC
  • AAC
  • Bluetooth® (A2DP)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Auracast™ Ready
Connectivity PlatformConnectivity PlatformA named connectivity architecture that combines multiple wireless standards and related device-level capabilities.
No
OneConnectOneConnectCombines Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth LE Audio in one hearing aid and is Auracast-ready.
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.
  • Bluetooth® (HFP)
  • Bluetooth® (HFP)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.
IPx4
IP68
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
Lithium-ion
Tap ControlsTap ControlsThe hearing aid may be controlled by physically tapping it with your fingers.
  • Change program
  • Accept/end calls
  • Change program
  • Accept/end calls
TelecoilTelecoilThe hearing aid is able to pick up audio from landline telephones or public audio systems without using its acoustic microphones. This minimizes background noise and improves clarity and understanding, even over great distances. At performing arts venues, events, government meetings, etc., look for assistive listening systems (hearing loop, FM, and infrared systems), which must be provided at no cost under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other international regulations.
No
Yes
Volume RockerVolume RockerA volume rocker or wheel to allows the adjustment of volume with a finger.
No
Yes

Software Features

Hear OTC
Pure Charge&Go MaX
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)ANC is different than typical hearing aid noise reduction in that it reduces both steady state and dynamic background noise using sound wave inversion.
Yes
No
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.
No
20
Adjustment SynchronizationAdjustment SynchronizationThis feature allows for a more pleasant listening experience by ensuring that both hearing aids process sound the same way. If one hearing aid changes its processing in response to noise or speech, it will send a wireless signal to the other hearing aid so both process sound in the same way.
No
e2e wireless 5.0e2e wireless 5.0Controls binaural coupling, synchronization, and coordinated sound functions between the hearing aids.
Audio Stream MixerAudio Stream MixerAllows the user to adjust the volume of the audio stream relative to the microphone input using the push button or volume control on the hearing aid unit.
No
Adaptive Streaming VolumeAdaptive Streaming VolumeSpeech intelligibility weighted adaptation of the streaming volume depending on the level of ambient noise.
Direction SelectionDirection SelectionAllows the user to select one or more directions to focus their hearing aids on. For example, some hearing aids allow the listener to focus on sounds coming from in front or back, or from the right or left.
No
Spatial ConfiguratorSpatial ConfiguratorAllows the wearer to adjust the direction of the microphone beam via the Signia App.Speech FocusSpeech FocusIn the Universal Program, SpeechFocus steers the directional beam either to surround mode for side speech or to the rear. In manual programs, microphone beam to the right/left/rear directions.5/5
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
Adaptive DirectionalityAdaptive DirectionalityImproves the signal to noise ratio in noisy environments by reducing dominant noise sources from the back and sides. The polar plot is adjusted continuously in multiple frequency channels.Automatic DirectionalityAutomatic DirectionalityImproves the signal to noise ratio in noisy environments by automatically and seamlessly applying directionality in individual processing channels.Binaural DirectionalityBinaural DirectionalityDirectionality provides scientifically proven enhanced speech understanding in noise. Available for bilateral fittings with directional microphones and e2e wireless link.Spatial SpeechFocusSpatial SpeechFocusAvailable for bilateral fittings with Ultra HD e2e.
Ear SimulationEar SimulationThe outer ear, or pinna, can have a significant effect on the frequency shape of sound arriving at your inner ear. Some hearing aids mimic the "pinna effect" when producing sound, to deliver more natural sound to the listener.
No
TruEar 360TruEar 360Reproduces benefits of the natural pinna effect by highlighting the difference between front and back sources of sound.
Echo ReductionEcho ReductionThis feature improves speech audibility by reducing the “blurring” of speech sounds that can occur in the presence of echoes.
No
Auto EchoShieldAuto EchoShieldAutomatically creates a more comfortable hearing experience in high-reverb environments leading to increased speech clarity and natural room perceptions.Reverberant Room ProgramReverberant Room ProgramDedicated program for reverberant environments.
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.
No
Ambient Scene AdaptationᴬᴵAmbient Scene AdaptationᴬᴵContinuously analyzes the acoustic environment and listening situation, then adapts the response for comfort, awareness, and conversation.RealTime Conversation EnhancementRealTime Conversation EnhancementProvides uninterrupted engagement in noisy group conversations by seamlessly tracking the locations of all conversation partners and enhancing their speech.5/5
Extended bandwidthExtended bandwidthHearing aid provides amplification at frequencies (pitches) higher than the typical hearing aid.
No
12kHz
Extended Dynamic RangeExtended Dynamic RangeExtended dynamic range typically makes louder sound clearer. This may help with the reproduction of loud music or loud speech in a very noisy environment.
No
Yes
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
Feedback cancellationFeedback cancellationHigh-speed monitoring and control of feedback risk in individual processing channels.
Frequency LoweringFrequency LoweringUnderstanding certain speech sounds is dependent on the high frequency parts of these sounds. For individuals with high frequency hearing loss, this feature can take high frequency speech information and move it to lower frequencies where it will be audible.
No
Frequency CompressionFrequency CompressionImproves the detection of speech sounds for wearers with reduced high frequency hearing thresholds. Frequency compression is selectively activated based on audiological criteria.
Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)
No
6HD MusicHD MusicPreset programs for listening to non-streamed music.3
Machine LearningMachine LearningThis hearing aid employs machine learning to bring a higher degree of computer-aided intelligence to decision making.
No
Acoustic Intelligence™Acoustic Intelligence™Four connected deep neural networks work together as one system to understand speech, the wearer's own voice, the ambient scene, and noise.Signia AssistantSignia AssistantOffers wearers instant 24/7 troubleshooting and customized sound adjustments via an intuitive AI-enabled chat. Provides detailed information in Connexx to address each client's fine-tuning needs more precisely.
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.
No
Acclimatization ManagerAcclimatization ManagerAllows the wearer to benefit from enhanced audibility in the longer term, while enjoying optimal device acceptance when initially fitted.
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.
No
Dynamic Noise ControlᴬᴵDynamic Noise ControlᴬᴵUses Acoustic Intelligence to identify the type and level of background noise and adapt noise reduction without obscuring speech or environmental awareness.SoundSmoothing 2.0SoundSmoothing 2.0Reduces sudden transient sounds while preserving speech clarity.3
Own Voice ComfortOwn Voice ComfortAmplification is applied differently to your own voice versus the other voices around you. This allows adequate amplification of people you want to hear and no over-amplification of your own voice.
No
Own Voice ProcessingᴬᴵOwn Voice ProcessingᴬᴵAutomatically provides a natural own-voice impression without requiring in-clinic voice training or calibration.
Processing ChannelsProcessing ChannelsThese are all the frequency-divided sections the hearing aid is able to examine at a single time. The hearing aid uses this information to determine whether the contents of each section are noise, speech, or something else and amplify the sound in each section accordingly.
No
48
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.
No
Notch TherapyNotch TherapySignia's unique, patented tinnitus therapy which is proven especially effective against tonal tinnitus.Ocean Waves Therapy SignalOcean Waves Therapy SignalTherapy signals that mimic the sound of the sea to provide a soothing listening experience and reduce the impact of tinnitus.4Static Therapy SignalStatic Therapy SignalSoft, gentle therapy signals that reduce the impact of tinnitus.20/5
Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.
No
Advanced Focus StreamsAdvanced Focus StreamsAdds up to 3 additional focus streams providing the correct amount of boost for each conversation partner's speech while allowing the wearer to stay connected to their environment.3Augmented Focus™Augmented Focus™Separates the focus sound (speech) from surroundings, creating a clear contrast between the two, which makes it easier to follow conversations.Conversation BoosterConversation BoosterDetermines the optimal balance of speech enhancement & noise reduction to augment speech while preserving the acoustic environment.5/5SpeechStabilizerSpeechStabilizerPreserves the natural envelope of speech in any situation, including very noisy situations, which preserves acoustic cues that are important for speech understanding.
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.
No
eWindScreen 2.0: 5/5eWindScreen 2.0Reduces wind noise outdoors while preserving speech clarity.