I have been an audiologist for over 28 years and have seen hearing aid technology change dramatically. Today’s devices are clearer, perform better in noise, and are more discreet than ever. It seems incredible that despite these steps forward, there are still an estimated 18 million Americans living with an untreated hearing loss. Is it cosmetic, financial, or is there another roadblock that keeps people from seeking hearing help?
On August 18, 2021, there was an announcement of a brand-new category of “lifestyle” devices, spearheaded by a new product – Jabra Enhance Plus.
This device piqued my interest, and I decided to do some digging. The Jabra device boasts of being discreet, multi-functional, and delivering the benefits that younger people with active and modern needs have long been seeking. It is said to offer capabilities including personalized hearing enhancement as well as quality music and seamless in-ear phone calls delivered via earbuds.
Unlike the recently launched Bose SoundControl, the Enhance Plus encourages the support of a hearing care professional to check your candidacy first, which is a big step forward given how many people incorrectly self-diagnose themselves.
With over-the-counter devices currently being a very hot topic following President Biden’s recent executive order adding pressure for affordable solutions being made available to even more Americans, this product may be well timed.
The question is, how is it different from anything else that is available, and what does this mean for you and the people that you care about?
What is The Jabra Enhance Plus?
The first thing to note is that this new product is not a replacement for traditional hearing aids, and it’s not in competition with them. It’s specifically for people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who are looking to improve their hearing ability in selective social settings.
Jabra conducted in-depth research and learned that some people wanted a simplified hearing device that is a lower-cost and accessible alternative to hearing instruments, with hearing support being just one of many benefits. With this understanding, they developed the Jabra Enhance Plus, which is a set of earbuds engineered for hearing enhancement, music, and calls.
The biggest difference between the Jabra Enhance Plus and some of the other readily available devices that are aggressively advertising is that Jabra ensures you make the right choice for your hearing by encouraging you to visit an experienced hearing care professional.
The reason that this is an essential part of the process is that Jabra understands that the most important step in addressing any form of hearing challenge is that you first need to have a hearing assessment, in the same way that a complete eye exam would be your preferred option before determining your prescription for eyeglasses.
Many other OTC devices require self-diagnosing your hearing loss through an app and programming your own device. As you can imagine, there are many risks with this. As professionals, we would advise away from any solution that sells you a product before understanding your own unique circumstances.
Attempting to self-diagnose is risky business, and there are many scenarios where self-diagnosis has resulted in significant long-term damage being caused. We test many ears per week, and we often meet people who believe that they have a hearing challenge who either have no issues at all or the cause is something other than hearing loss, such as a buildup of earwax or a more complicated medical concern.
Who May Be a Good Candidate For The Jabra Enhance Plus?
The answer may be some of the 18 million adults with untreated hearing loss who aren’t ready for a hearing aid. Similar to someone who needs readers before they go to prescription lenses.
These devices may be good for people who:
- Accept they have a hearing loss but are only seeking support in particular situations
- Want a discreet but visible product that steps away from the traditional look
- Don’t want a traditional hearing aid but do want the comfort of medical technology & the backup support that goes with it
- Want help in hard-to-hear situations
- Would like for others to believe they are wearing an earphone
Hopefully over time, these devices and others like them will start to normalize the treatment of hearing loss, giving confidence to more people so that they don’t have to struggle to hear. These devices assist the wearer in certain situations; however, they aren’t a long-term solution. The Jabra Enhance Plus devices are ideal for those that just need a helping hand in the form of an earbud that offers additional capabilities.
How Much Will They Cost?
At this time, it’s unknown as there’s been no announced cost. The general expectation is that these will be priced slightly more than premium headphones and slightly less than entry-level hearing aids.
Based on this, we’re predicting around $1000. But at this stage, it’s all speculation.
My Professional Opinion and Advice
As an audiologist, I truly believe that hearing is precious. This may be a good first step to help you hear in certain situations. It should be looked at as a short-term solution until you are ready for a comprehensive hearing treatment plan. A hearing exam is critical for the success of any device, including The Jabra Enhance Plus. However, if this device can help even one person that otherwise would leave their hearing untreated, that is a good thing.
Want to Know If You Are a Candidate?
With so much change and so many different options available, it’s natural that you may have a question. That’s why our team is here to help and offer you guidance to ensure that you or a loved one makes the right decision.
The very first step is to let us evaluate your hearing to determine if you are a candidate for this product. So, give our office a call. We are available to answer any of your questions or concerns.