It has finally arrived. The Jabra Enhance Plus is now available to the public, which signifies a turning point in addressing hearing loss.
Jabra is now the second non-medical company to introduce a hearing device requiring no professional consultation to purchase.
As audiologists, our duty is to ensure we educate our communities here in Western Washington on the importance of healthy hearing and the best treatment options available to you.
We have taken the time to review the Jabra Enhance Plus thoroughly to help provide you with details concerning functions, limitations, and who it will benefit the most. The first and most important thing to know is that there are many differences between the Jabra Enhance Plus and traditional prescription hearing aids.
Who Might Benefit From The Jabra Enhance Plus?
Despite this product appealing to a wider demographic of those suffering a hearing loss, it does have its limitations.
It’s not as powerful as prescription hearing aids, and for that reason, it’s only suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Anyone looking for a slight boost in their hearing for certain situations might find some value with these. They are best for adding a bit of volume at a moment’s notice.
If a person is not quite ready to commit to prescription hearing aids, then these will bridge the gap between recognizing a hearing loss to seeking professional and long-lasting hearing healthcare.
Limitations Of The Jabra Enhance Plus
Those whose hearing falls within the fitting range for the Jabra Enhance Plus will experience improved clarity and volume in quiet situations. Talking on the phone at home, speaking with your spouse on a walk, or meeting with two friends at your home are perfect situations to use this product.
However, when background noise is present, such as in a restaurant or larger group meeting, these devices simply do not have the advanced noise reduction features that prescription hearing aids do.
You might still hear better in those noisy environments, but you probably won’t notice the same amount of improvement as you’ve experienced in quieter places. Prescription hearing aids are selected, fine-tuned, and tested for you and your specific needs.
Even over time, as your hearing and needs change, a prescription hearing aid has customizable settings to change with you, so the amount of time they are useful to you is maximized. With the Jabra Enhance Plus, the range of hearing loss it can accommodate is much narrower and the features more limited, which could mean a shorter window of time that it’s helpful to you.
Why Is The Release Of The Jabra Enhance Plus Significant?
Products like this are a great way to support hearing health and loosen the stigma around seeking help for a hearing challenge.
They reduce some of the barriers to accessing hearing technology and allow people to address their hearing concerns sooner than they otherwise would have.
The earbud design is similar to many other wireless headsets available, which provide a more casual “lifestyle” design for those concerned about how they might look with hearing aids.
They are also self-fitting which means all you need to adjust the devices for your hearing is a hearing test and your phone. It doesn’t mean you’ll feel 100% comfortable doing that alone. We’re here to help.
How Do You Know If These Are Right For You?
If your hearing loss is so mild that you don’t find enough benefit from prescription aids to warrant the investment and commitment right now, then you may be a candidate.
We always recommend a comprehensive hearing assessment to start. This will include not only a hearing test but also a physical examination of your ears. If your problem is due to wax buildup, neither the Jabra Enhance Plus nor prescription hearing aids will help.
This issue can be remedied with a quick appointment at our office without the need to purchase any device. This is where the value of an assessment really comes in.
Don’t Think You Need Hearing Aids?
You are not alone!
There are great options out there for people just like you. We’re here to give you options and help you use whichever option you choose to its full potential. Contact us anytime with your questions and concerns.
To learn more or to find out if the Jabra Enhance Plus is right for you, please schedule an appointment with us today.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
