JLab Hear OTC Hearing Aid: A Real User Review

Editor's note: The following real user review was written by David Cochran, a retired design director who wears hearing aids and has tried a variety of both prescriptive and over-the-counter (OTC) devices. He was not paid by JLab to conduct this review, but did receive a free pair of JLab Hear hearing aids for the review. HearingTracker has asked David for his honest feedback and to do his best to stay impartial.

The JLab Hear is one of the few over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids offered for less than $100 that actually works. Although it has its drawbacks, it is a fairly effective sound amplifier that also offers Bluetooth audio streaming. Frankly, most hearing aids in this price range are not worth your money.

As a long-time hearing aid wearer, my experience testing the JLab Hear OTC hearing aid was both interesting and frustrating. It corroborates much of the data and information offered in HearingTracker's relatively positive lab review of the JLab Hear. On the one hand, these hearing aids allowed me to hear sounds I wouldn't have been able to hear otherwise; on the other hand, they came with a fair share of limitations.

In this brief review, I'll delve into the pros and cons of my experience testing the JLab Hear OTC Hearing Aid and discuss the things that stood out to me.

My experience with JLab Hear OTC hearing aids

The most noticeable and impressive "pro" or upside of the JLab Hear hearing aid is its affordability. Compared to traditional hearing aids that can cost thousands of dollars, the JLab Hear OTC hearing aid provides a cost-effective solution for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.

JLabs' website price for the Hear OTC hearing aid is $100. However, at this writing, you can buy the exact same product and service offering on Amazon for $80. This isn't unique to JLab; with many OTC brands, you can often save money by shopping around online (although you should be wary of second-hand resellers [e.g., private parties on eBay], as they may not come with the trial period or warranty). So, at $80 to $100, these present a great way to try a hearing aid designed for mild to moderate hearing loss and "hear what you've been missing."

They come in three different colors: graphite, beige, and cloud (light grey). I chose the graphite ones.

One of the “cons” of the JLab's Hear Hearing was its size and design. The device was larger and more noticeable than I had anticipated, which made me self-conscious about wearing it in public. Additionally, the bulkiness of the device made it uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

Another con was its limited connectivity options. While the device was able to connect to my smartphone via Bluetooth, I found that the connection was often spotty and would cut out unexpectedly. This was frustrating, as I had hoped to seamlessly stream audio from my phone to the hearing aid.

While I was impressed with its sound quality for streaming music, the sound quality for general amplification (e.g., speech or live music) falls short of that of other hearing aids I've used in the past. However, I was particularly pleased with the noise-canceling feature, which helped eliminate background noise and improved my overall listening experience.

Another downside for me was the JLab's battery life. Although it is advertised to provide about 10 hours of battery life on a single charge or 7 hours with audio streaming, I found it required frequent recharging throughout the day. This was inconvenient, as I had to constantly monitor the battery level and carry a charger with me at all times. On the upside, the charging case is well-designed and has a built-in USB-C charging cable.

Acknowledging the shortcomings above, I do admire the versatility of JLab Hear. For its price, it offered a variety of preset listening modes for different environments, such as restaurants, outdoor settings, and concerts. I appreciated being able to easily switch between modes depending on my surroundings, and it enhanced my overall listening experience.

While the device did offer preset listening modes, I found that there were limited opportunities to fine-tune the settings to my specific hearing needs. This meant that I was unable to fully optimize the device for my individual preferences.

Overall, my experience testing the JLab Hear was mixed. On one hand, the device is an affordable and easy-to-use solution for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. However, its size and design, inconsistent connectivity, and short battery life were significant drawbacks that impacted my overall satisfaction with the product.

Final Verdict

JLab Hear Hearing Aid has strengths and weaknesses, and its suitability will vary depending on individual needs and preferences. Last year, HearingTracker interviewed JLab CEO Win Cramer who positioned the device as a good “wear and go” instant-fit OTC hearing aid that merges Bluetooth connectivity with advanced hearing aid features like directional microphones and noise reduction—all for a low price. He also said they might work well as "substitute hearing aids” during riskier activities like fishing or boating, a day at the beach, and chores involving dust or dirt—situations that could imperil a pricier set of prescription hearing aids.

I think that's fair. As someone accustomed to higher-priced hearing aids, I think JLab Hear is a good option for a situational listening device rather than an all-day hearing aid solution. They are not as good as some other OTC hearing aids I've reviewed, such as the Jabra Enhance Select 500 ($1,795-$1,995) or the JVC EH-Z1500 ($799), but that's not really a fair comparison since they're a fraction of the cost.

While the JLab Hear may not be a perfect fit for everyone, it does provide a viable option for those seeking an affordable and accessible OTC hearing aid.