They’ve been a long time coming since first announced back in summer 2021, but the new hearing “lifestyle devices” by Jabra have now been released in the US.

The first contender by a tech brand in the hearing market was Bose with their SoundControl device, and now we have Jabra’s Enhance Plus 3-in-1 wireless earbuds with hearing aid technology to consider as well.

With the Jabra Enhance Plus available in the US, it may only be a matter of time until similar entry-level products are available in Canada.

Many people with mild to moderate hearing losses don’t do anything about it for at least ten years, so an entry-level product like this one makes for a great intro to proper hearing healthcare.

As a device designed specifically to help bridge this gap between recognizing a hearing loss and addressing it, in this review of Jabra Enhance Plus, we look at every aspect of performance and practicality, to see just how it measures up to moving into the gap in the market which Jabra are looking to fill.

Who Is The Enhance Plus Best For?

This OTC hearing aid is best for those with mild to moderate hearing loss who are tech-savvy.

Pros

• It is set up on any Apple device with Jabra’s free app in minutes, and the phone app controls are very easy to use.
• It looks just like an earbud to the onlooker, removing any fears of not looking “cool.”
• It’s also a great tool for streaming audio, and the app makes it easy to switch from this to a phone call when necessary.
• The sound filters adjust automatically depending on your surroundings – they analyze and adjust sound quality, reduce background noise, suppress digital feedback, and have an inbuilt directional mic.
• With a mild hearing loss, you only need help in certain scenarios, such as hearing speech in crowds or having the TV volume slightly higher. This meets that need.

Cons

• The Enhance Plus only helps in certain scenarios, so it’s simply not designed for all-day use.
• Some users have said the sound quality is not as good as other earbuds they have used.
• They don’t connect to a computer.
• The 3-in-1 earbud doesn’t fit properly in many ears and can fall out, and the three domes to choose from don’t guarantee a custom fit like prescription hearing aids. Although fitting could be improved with the assistance of a hearing care professional.
• They don’t help a moderate to severe hearing loss.
• They don’t help manage tinnitus.

A self-fitting hearing aid can be a good thing if all you need is a little boost to your hearing in certain situations, but it’s not a good option for all-day, everyday wear.

Are “Self-Fitting” Hearing Devices A Good Thing?

By self-fitting, we mean hearing devices that you buy and program yourself.

You take the results of your hearing assessment done through your phone and the results will automatically program the devices to that specific loss. Jabra Enhance Plus uses Bayesian pure tone audiometry to personalize the device to the consumer’s hearing loss. However, you miss out on the guidance and customization a hearing professional provides with prescription hearing aids, which includes:

• Customization to your prescription – especially if your loss is greater than moderate.
• Personalization.
• A professional fitting.
• Continued follow-ups and hearing aftercare.

Usually cost is the biggest reason why someone would choose a product like the Jabra Enhance Plus over a prescription hearing aid, and at the USD price of $799, we can see the appeal.

Jabra does recommend that users consult with a hearing healthcare professional before they consider purchasing the Enhance Plus devices to ensure that they are making the right choice for their hearing healthcare.

A professional at a certified Jabra Enhance Centre will most likely add additional pricing for the service of fitting them and setting them up on a user’s phone.

Are You On The Fence About Getting Hearing Help?

Talk to your loved ones and see how your hearing loss might be affecting them. Think about what you might be missing and find out how better hearing will change your life.

The Jabra Enhance Plus is not authorized in Canada yet, but we have every reason to believe that it, and products like it, will be available here in the next few years. And in the interim, we have a number of amplification devices we can recommend to bridge the gap for those not yet ready for prescription hearing aids.

We make a point to review and criticize new tech as it arrives, so our patients get honest, forthright information about the hearing aids that could help them rejoin the conversation.  

The comfy and powerful Bernafon Alpha 9, and the ever-improving Phonak Lumity 90 are two other hearing aids that I highly recommend taking a look at to help narrow down your choices. 

Call or email us with all your questions, or drop by for advice on your options; and if you suspect you might have a hearing loss, book a hearing test so you can find out exactly what you need.

Our goal is always to help people hear at their best, and we look forward to doing that for you.