A Comprehensive Breakdown Of The Brand-New Jabra Enhance Plus Devices
With 28.8 million people delaying or avoiding hearing care, it makes sense that providing people with the option of a low-cost, self-fitting device might change that.
Last August, President Biden acknowledged this need, and in his executive order, he asked the FDA to put together the regulations necessary to make devices like this available over the counter (OTC). As of yet, these hearing aids are only available from hearing specialists, but we expect them to be available everywhere by the summer, once the FDA regulations are in full effect.
So, who are these hearing aids for, how are they different to prescription hearing aids, and what do we think of them?
Who Are The Ideal Candidates For The Jabra Enhance Plus?
The ideal candidates for this device are the people only having difficulty hearing in certain situations. There are several reasons this may be an option over prescription aids:
- They have mild-moderate hearing loss and don’t need all the technology of a prescription hearing aid.
- They have no hearing loss but need a hearing boost in certain settings, such as being able to hear children better, following conversations in a crowded restaurant, and being able to understand on the phone.
- Ideally, they will have an iPhone 11 or higher to be able to use all the functions to the fullest.
- They don’t want their hearing device to look like a hearing aid. This product looks like an earbud.
- They like streaming phone calls or group chats for business meetings, listening to music, or using them for hearing enhancement. This is a pretty amazing device for all three situations.
The biggest concern we have is that once these are available over the counter, there is only the recommendation rather than the requirement to do a professional hearing evaluation.
Not taking this essential first step means that any serious medical condition(s) causing the hearing loss will not be detected, and a simpler remedy like cleaning out earwax will not be considered.
What’s A “Self-Fitting” Hearing Aid?
Self-fitting means that the consumer should be able to personalize the devices themselves. They should require little to no help setting up and using the product – once the hearing test is performed via the app, the user can take over.
Wearers can expect several limitations to wearing the Jabra Enhance Plus versus a prescription hearing aid.
- The biggest limitation is that the Jabra Enhance Plus is not meant to be worn for extended periods of time and only has ten hours of battery charge. A prescription hearing aid is designed to work all day.
- The earbuds only come with three domes to get the right fit in the ear canal. For ear canals of a more unique shape, these are likely to fall out from time to time.
- Because the sound is filtered automatically, the earbuds can’t be adjusted much to hear more clearly, although the app does offer three settings you can switch to.
- The only support available is through the app.
However, by buying the Enhance Plus through South Shore Hearing Center, which is a Certified Jabra Enhance Center, we will provide any help that may be needed.
What Do We Think About The Jabra Enhance Plus?
We like it.
Jabra is bringing hearing loss into the conversation. These products and the advertising around them will begin to break down the barriers that might have existed for the patient.
It might have been stigma; it might have been price or something else completely. The conversation is beginning, and hearing healthcare is finally getting a spotlight.
Feedback From Our Patients
Some of the comments we have had so far include:
- The streaming is amazing for music and phone calls.
- The hearing enhancement provided benefit while watching TV at the volume everyone else wanted.
- In meetings, it was easier to hear the opposite side of the table.
- They are now able to hear their very soft-spoken friend they have always struggled with.
