Eargo vs. Jabra Enhance

Eargo

Testing out Eargo 7 hearing aids

Eargo’s current lineup includes four hearing aid models:

• Eargo 7: The company’s most advanced completely-in-canal (CIC) model
• Eargo 6: A CIC hearing aid with rich, clear sound that adapts to your environment
• Eargo SE: Eargo’s most budget-friendly CIC model designed for simplicity
• LINK by Eargo: A unique earbud-style hearing aid with Bluetooth streaming

We give Eargo high marks for sound quality, noise reduction, and discretion. Eargo hearing aids come with a variety of petals or domed ear tips in multiple sizes. Most of our testers found a comfortable fit that accommodated the size and shape of their ear canal. However, one of our testers has small ears, and she found that the hearing aids felt a bit uncomfortable. If they feel uncomfortable, you can send them back for a full refund during the 45-day trial period.

» Related Reading: Eargo Hearing Aid Review

If you or someone you love has been hesitant to “take the plunge” because of how hearing aids look, Eargo may be a great choice. One of the things we love about Eargo is its discreet designs. Eargo 6, Eargo 7, and Eargo SE are worn completely in the ear. They’re practically invisible. When testing them out, we often forgot that we had them in our ears.

You can hardly tell that one of our testers is wearing Eargo 7 hearing aids here1

LINK by Eargo looks like an earbud, not like a hearing aid. Since this style is enabled with  Bluetooth 5.3 technology, we tried them out on the noisy NYC subway to catch up on our favorite podcasts. The sound quality was excellent. Plus, they don’t look remotely like hearing aids, so no one knew we were wearing them!

Testing out LINK by Eargo, the company's earbud-style hearing aids.

Expert Insights

From Dr. Ruth Reisman, Audiologist

Patients like the discretion of the Eargo invisible in the ear style. Despite the Bluetooth capabilities, the LINK is not as readily adapted by patients seeking an OTC solution.

In addition to being discreet, Eargo’s sound quality is clear and crisp. Eargo 6, 7, and SE all connect to the Eargo app, and can be adjusted remotely. LINK doesn’t connect to the app, but an Eargo representative told us that eventually, this style will have an app of its own (stay tuned!). Eargo also offers lifetime professional support, so you can connect to a hearing care pro at any time — for the life of your hearing aids.

Adjusting the Eargo hearing aid volume independently or simultaneously within the app

Jabra Enhance

Jabra Enhance Select 300 hearing aids

Jabra’s current lineup of hearing aids includes:

• Enhance Select 500: Jabra Enhance’s most advanced hearing aid in micro-sized behind-the-ear (BTE) style
• Enhance Select 300: A mini-sized BTE designed for tricky listening situations and active lifestyles
• Enhance Select 50R: The company's most budget-friendly model in a standard-sized BTE style

Unlike Eargo’s discreet designs, Jabra’s hearing aids are all BTE. The Enhance Select 500 is the smallest BTE offering. Even though it sits behind the ear, we found this hearing aid to be fairly unnoticeable. Like all of Jabra’s current offerings, it comes in five colors, so you’re likely to find a shade that matches either your hair or skin tone.

The Enhance Select 300 is fairly discrete for a BTE haring aid.

BTE hearing aids can feel very secure and comfortable. Despite their visibility, many people prefer them rather than completely in-ear styles. Our tester has long hair and wears glasses, but these hearing aids didn’t create any feedback noise or get in the way. They’re also compatible with mask straps.

All three of Jabra’s styles can be purchased with a Basic or Premium package. Premium costs $200 more, but in our opinion, it is well worth the added investment. Premium packages come with three years of unlimited access to a hearing care professional, such as an audiologist, via Zoom calls. We spoke with an audiologist who helped customize our hearing aid to our specific hearing loss and ensure that we had the best fit possible. If you’re new to hearing aids, this level of virtual support can be very beneficial. However, we do wish Jabra Enhance offered lifetime support like Eargo does.

During testing, we could easily schedule an appointment with a Jabra Enhance audiologist through the mobile app.

Expert Insights

From Dr. Ruth Reisman, Audiologist

Having the [three years of] support with the devices is worth the upgrade, particularly for first-time users.

The Enhance Select 500 and Select 300 both provide richer sound quality than the 50R. We found that the sound quality in the Enhance 500s was natural, resonant, and crisp.

Lack of comfort and not providing enough hearing benefit are the main reasons why people who purchase hearing aids stop wearing them.2 For that reason, if you decide that Jabra Enhance is right for you, we strongly recommend going for the better sound quality models. Plus, Jabra Enhance has a 100-day risk-free trial (55 days longer than Eargo), so you can test them out for a few months and decide if they’re the best fit for your needs.

» Related Reading: Jabra Enhance Hearing Aid Review

Eargo vs. Jabra Enhance Pricing

Eargo

Eargo‘s pricing is competitive, especially when you compare their offerings to prescription hearing aids, which cost an estimated $1,000 to $4,000 per ear. However, Eargo is more expensive than some OTC hearing aids, such as MDHearing. But you get much more for the cost of Eargo devices.

Eargo hearing aids range from $799 per pair for LINK by Eargo, to $2,950 per pair for Eargo 7. Financing is available for all of Eargo’s styles. If you don’t want to commit to the purchase before trying out the hearing aids, you can request a free sample prior to purchase, which we appreciate.

So, what all comes with your purchase? Eargo 7, Eargo 6, and Eargo SE come with professional hearing support via phone or through the app for the life of your devices. LINK by Eargo offers lifetime support via phone, but not through an app.

When you get your kit, you’ll have all the accessories needed to get started and to maintain your hearing aids. In addition to your hearing aids, multiple-sized petals, mic caps, cleaning tools, and a charging case will be provided.

Your hearing aids come with a 45-day risk free trial and a warranty of either one or two years, depending on the model.

Jabra Enhance

Like Eargo, Jabra Enhance’s costs are competitive. Their hearing aids start at $995 for the Enhance Select 50R Basic package, and go up to $1,995 for the Enhance Select 500 Premium package. Jabra Enhance’s top-tier model, the Enhance Select 500, is about $1,000 cheaper than the Eargo 7.

As mentioned earlier, upgrading to Premium for any Jabra Enhance style adds $200 to the cost, but it also adds significant value. Premium packages offer three years of unlimited, on-demand audiological care via Zoom or the app. Programming support and adjustments are also provided remotely through the app, as needed. Basic packages are self-programmed and managed on your own. We’d recommend upgrading to Premium, as it ensures you have the best fit possible.

Both Basic and Premium packages come with a 100-day risk-free trial period and a warranty that ranges from one to three years, based on style.

Like Eargo, Jabra Enhance hearing aids come with all of the accessories, cleaning tools, and charging implements needed to get you up and running.

Follow-Up Care

Our experience with customer care from both brands has been overwhelmingly positive. The support staff and hearing professionals for both companies are knowledgeable, helpful, empathetic, and friendly. In our opinion, you can’t go wrong with either one. There are, however, differences to note.

Eargo

Eargo offers lifetime support for your hearing aids. This means you’ll be able to connect with an audiologist or other hearing professional as needed, on demand for as long as you have your hearing aids.

Keep in mind that hearing aids can last for over 10 years, but the average lifespan is around five years.2 Your hearing needs may change during that time, so annual audiological exams or hearing tests should be done annually. Test your hearing more often if you notice that your devices aren’t giving you the power they once did.

Expert Insights

From Dr. Ruth Reisman, Audiologist

If you are not keen on remote care and hope to see an audiologist in person who can help with your Eargo or Jabra devices, you are out of luck. These devices cannot be programmed or serviced at your audiologist's office. Therefore, if it's not easily repairable in the office, you will have to contact the manufacturer directly to get support.

Just like time and its effects on our hearing (and other things), technology also has a way of marching on. You may wish to upgrade your hearing aids to the latest technology, even if they still work perfectly. The up-and-coming Bluetooth LE Audio technology (offered with Jabra Enhance’s Select 500 model) is a good example of how hearing aids are changing and adapting to the future. So, keep all this in mind when you think about lifetime support for hearing aids.

Jabra Enhance

Jabra Enhance Premium hearing aids come with three years of unlimited audiological support and programming. After that, you’re on your own. Basic packages don’t offer any follow-up care, which is a drawback for those on a tight budget. While we wish they offered lifetime support as  Eargo does, we found the quality of Jabra Enhance’s follow-up care was top-notch. Customer support for Jabra hearing aids is available through the app or on Zoom calls.

Final Thoughts

Eargo is best for: Those who want great sound quality in a discreet device.
Jabra Enhance is best for: Those who want deep, resonant sound, plus unlimited, face-to-face audiological support.

Jabra Enhance and Eargo are two well-established manufacturers of over-the-counter hearing aids. Both brands offer cost-effective hearing aids, sold in pairs, for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Jabra Enhance offers face-to-face online interaction with their audiological team, as well as remote app access. Eargo gives you unlimited audiological support primarily through their app and over the phone.

The style offerings are among the main differences between these companies. Eargo hearing aids are either invisible in-the-ear or discreetly designed earbuds, while Jabra Enhance hearing aids are all BTE and in varying sizes.

Overall, you can’t go wrong with either provider. The choice will ultimately come down to your preferred style and budget.