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The 50R internal lithium-ion batteries should last roughly 30 hours per charge. Various factors will influence the lifespan you experience, including severity of hearing loss, age of the hearing aids, and listening environment.
Produktbewertung
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Introduced in January 2024, Jabra Enhance Select 50R is a receiver-in-canal (RIC) over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid that is essentially a rechargeable upgrade of Jabra's previously successful Enhance Select 50 model—hence, the "R" in 50R. Available for $1195, independent HearAdvisor lab testing indicates you can expect good performance from this OTC hearing aid, especially with customization opportunities using the mobile app and Jabra’s remote telecare team.
The Jabra Enhance Select 50R represents Jabra Enhance's "essential or basic" product in its full lineup of products. It complements the mid-range Select 300 and flagship Select 700 models, and has come to replace the now-discontinued Jabra Enhance Plus earbud device. In HearAdvisor testing, it achieved a "B" SoundGrade and ranked in the top-35% of all OTC hearing aids.
In this review, we'll tell you all about the key highlights and limitations of the Jabra Enhance Select 50R, plus share and discuss the results from HearAdvisor's independent lab testing of the product.
What I loved about Jabra Enhance Select 50R
- Personalized to your ears
- Jabra Enhance Select 50R can be personalized based on either a hearing test or a screening performed through the app; and although this does not come close to replacing real-ear measurements, it should work better than presets for most people.
- Automatic sound adjustments
- While Jabra Enhance Select 50R has a dedicated program for noise, their All-Around setting hopefully makes your life easier by adjusting automatically to your environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Select 50R builds on Jabra’s previous-generation Select 50 by offering internal lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Otherwise, the components and processing remain the same. Additionally, the new 50R is actually less expensive than the 50 by about $200.
The 50R does not offer dedicated tinnitus programs or maskers; however, studies have shown that some people experience a reduction in the annoyance and distress caused by their tinnitus from amplification alone.
No. Select 50R comes with 3 preset profiles: Fuller, Normal, and Clearer. However, it is recommended that you have these devices programmed based on your specific hearing needs to improve your chances of getting the most benefit from them. Further adjustments can be made within the app in either case.
Yes, the Select 50R offers wireless audio streaming of phone calls, music, podcasts, etc., for both iOS and Android (10 or later) devices. However, it does not offer hands-free phone calling.
Who is Jabra?
Jabra is a Danish consumer electronics company that has been around since 1983. They have a lineage in headsets and videoconferencing systems. Jabra has now launched several product lines geared toward the new generation of hearing aid consumers in search of quality, lower-cost technology. This follows their acquisition by GN Store Nord in 2000, which is the parent company behind well-established hearing aid brands ReSound and Beltone and is one of the largest hearing aid manufacturers in the world. The GN Group also owns e-gaming giant SteelSeries and military headset developer Falcom.
How is Jabra different from other GN brands? Jabra differentiates itself by offering devices directly online or in-store at consumer electronics retailers—without needing to visit a hearing care provider. Using a remote care model originally developed by Lively, Jabra Enhance Select offers you professional online support and modern hearing aid features, such as wireless streaming for both iOS and Android, noise reduction, multi-microphone directionality, app personalization, and more.
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A major benefit of Jabra is that they are able to leverage technology from all the other GN brands. For example, Jabra Enhance Select 700 is likely based on ReSound's latest hearing aids, Vivia or Savi, while the Select 300 is based on ReSound OMNIA. Essentially, Jabra allows you to purchase an advanced prescription hearing aid online, as a direct-to-consumer product, and receive remote care from Jabra’s hearing care professionals.
Jabra also offers prescription hearing aids as part of its Jabra Enhance Pro product line which are dispensed at Costco Hearing Aid Centers by licensed professionals. Jabra was a pioneer in the OTC hearing aid segment with its Jabra Enhance Plus earbud. However, Jabra has now discontinued the Plus in favor of the more conventional Enhance 50R, which allows for all the audiology and remote programming support found in the other Jabra products—which we think is a considerable advantage.
This means that you can find a Jabra hearing aid for about $1,200 to $2,000 per pair, depending on your individual needs and finances, with advertised financing rates starting as low as $39. Regardless of which Jabra product you fancy, you get a 100-day risk-free trial. There is also a 3-year loss and damage protection warranty. You can learn more about the company and its products on our Jabra Enhance page.
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What's it like to use Jabra Enhance Select 50R?
As noted, you will find that Jabra's product quality is on par with medical prescription hearing aids. Jabra Enhance 50R is no exception and appears to be based on ReSound's economy hearing aid line, the 8-channel Key 3. They're well-built yet lightweight, making them comfortable on my ears. I also like to take a close look at the earwire of devices like this because it tends to be the “weakest link” and the first thing to break. Again, this felt equal to prescription devices, being flexible but not flimsy.
After testing so many OTC hearing devices, I’m always a little dubious about their wireless connections (some devices have me jumping through hoops before the app even opens). Fortunately, I did not experience any problems pairing 50R with the Enhance Select App or viewing the orientation video with Jabra’s Care Team. Overall, the wireless connection was reliable, and I didn’t experience any streaming or app issues. Remote care was also problem-free, though there are several reports online suggesting long wait times and poor customer service.
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With regard to sound quality, Jabra Enhance Select 50R met my expectations for what a prescription-quality hearing aid should sound like. They did lack a certain crispness in the treble, or upper-frequency, range that you'll find in the latest prescription hearing aids. Audio quality while streaming music and phone calls was also “thin” and “nasally”; however, both of these complaints are consistent with 50R being a previous-gen product (GN Resound’s Key 3, to be specific, which is now being superseded by ReSound Savi). If I were to wear these long-term, I would follow up with Jabra’s Care Team in the hope of improving quality in these two areas.
Another area worth noting is the form and function of Jabra Enhance Select 50R charger. I have come to expect magnetic locking portable charging cases. The Select 50R's cabled desktop charger, by comparison, feels quite antiquated. I'll point out you can find more modern charger designs with Jabra Enhance Select’s other products (i.e., the Select 700 and Select 300). But the fact that the case is not portable or carries extra charges, while probably not a deal-breaker, is a definite downside.
Bluetooth audio streaming and phone calls
Jabra ‘s 50R hearing aids pair wirelessly with iOS® and Android™ (10 or newer), allowing you to receive phone calls through your hearing aids, stream music and other audio, and control them with the Jabra Enhance Select app which is described below.
Be aware that while 50R still relies on your mobile phone’s microphone to hear you during calls, so it does not offer "hands-free calling," where your hearing aids are essentially transformed into a wireless phone headset. Instead, you can hear the person you're talking to through your hearing aids, but you'll still need to speak into your phone as you normally would for your voice to be heard by them. (The Jabra Enhance Select 300 and 700 offer hands-free calling.)
Bluetooth LE and Auracast hearing aids are just starting to come onto the market, and we're excited about this new broadcast technology. However, Jabra 50Rs do not feature this capability.
Onboard button controls for Jabra Enhance Select 50R
Onboard controls: Manual adjustments to 50R hearing aids are as simple as pressing a multi-function button located on the back of the device. Be aware that 50R hearing aids are “synchronized” and communicate wirelessly with one another. This means pressing the button on one device will automatically affect the settings for the other hearing aid. Here is a short outline of the controls for this hearing aid.
Function | Button press |
|---|---|
Turn device on/off | Press and hold either button for 5 seconds |
Turn volume up/down | Increase with short press of Right device button / Decrease with short press of Left device button |
Change program | Press and hold the button for 1-2 seconds |
Flight mode | Turn 50R off, then press the button for 9 seconds |
Table showing how you can control the Select 50R using its onboard buttons (based on Jabra 50R user manual).
The Select 50R offers several programs based on your listening needs, which can be switched and cycled through by pressing and holding the button for 1-2 seconds. You'll hear a series of beep(s) indicating which program you've switched to. Each of the programs below can be further customized remotely by Jabra specialists and/or by you via the Enhance Select app.
Listening program | Beeps heard | Use |
|---|---|---|
All-around | 1 beep | The default program for general everyday use. |
Restaurant | 2 beeps | For use in restaurants or other noisy social settings. |
Music | 3 beeps |
Jabra also offers various accessories for 50R, such as the Phone Clip+, which can double as a remote control.
The Jabra Enhance Select app
Jabra offers the Enhance Select app, which is comparable to the mobile device offerings from other reputable prescription hearing aids. In fact, the app is nearly identical to Resound's Smart 3D app, so it will feel familiar if you have used other wireless GN products.
Even if you are not the most tech-savvy, it is worth your time to install the app and connect your hearing aids, as this unlocks several features not otherwise accessible. You will find easy tab access to Jabra’s four default programs (see above table), as well as a dedicated volume control and buttons for a Noise filter, Speech Clarity, and a 3-band equalizer. What’s more, these settings are stored independently within each program.
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The Enhance Select app is intuitive, albeit a little complex, given the array of customization options it provides. Be sure to have Jabra’s experts assist you with the various tabs and menus if technology is not your strong suit. As with many hearing aid apps, this is an important element in getting the most out of the hearing aid.
Although the ReSound Smart 3D app is well rated, the Jabra Enhance Select App has only a 3.5 star rating at this writing, with some users complaining about the hearing aids cutting out and trouble connecting with the devices. Since the app is crucial for using all Enhance Select hearing aids, please verify your phone's compatibility with the app before making a purchase.
How long should these hearing aids last?
Enhance Select 50R are receiver-in-canal devices and should last roughly 3 to 5 years. Their Ingress Protection (IP) rating of 68 indicates that they offer top-tier protection from water and debris. The 50R may last much longer if cared for properly; however, exposure to regular moisture and extreme use can shorten their life. The internal lithium-ion rechargeable battery should also span the entire life of the hearing aid. Regular cleaning and maintenance are an important contributor to your hearing device's lifespan and general function.
Personalizing and using remote assistance for Jabra Enhance Select 50R
Telehealth has become more expectation than novelty, and Jabra has included many modern remote care features with 50R. Your hearing aids will be custom-programmed based on either an online hearing test or an audiogram you upload to your account. Updates are received directly through the mobile app and can be uploaded to your hearing aids with the push of a button. While I was disappointed that remote adjustments are not real-time, it took only a minute for my 50R to update to my custom programming.
You can also schedule video appointments with the Jabra Audiology Team and these can be invaluable for those just starting with hearing technology. Be sure to take advantage of this to get an appropriate fit and best understand all the features available to you. They can also help you troubleshoot when issues arise down the road. All of this is accessible by navigating to the Care Team tab within the Enhance Select app.
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Battery life and charger
Jabra states that you can expect 30 hours of operation time per charge thanks to its internal lithium-ion batteries. This is a change from Jabra Enhance Select 50R’s predecessor, the Select 50, which used disposable size 312 batteries. Be aware that the battery life you experience may vary based on factors such as your hearing loss, streaming usage, the environments you are in, the age of the hearing aids, and more.
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When your batteries are getting low, the Jabra Enhance Select 50R will play a brief melody every 15 minutes until there is no more power. This is unlikely to happen for most people given their all-day battery life. Regardless, you can recharge 50R by placing them in their docking station. This must be plugged into an outlet using the included USB-C cable as there is no internal power back. It will take roughly 3 hours to recharge 50R from a depleted battery at which point LED lights on the back of 50R will turn from flashing to a solid green light.
While not necessarily a deal-breaker, I found the desktop charger slightly antiquated compared to current OTC hearing aid offerings. Portable chargers with extra on-the-go charging capacity are fairly common and are available in the Jabra Select 300 and 700 hearing aids.
You can check your battery life during normal use within the Enhance Select mobile app. The above charge and use times are based on data from Jabra and were not verified by the HearAdvisor lab.
Wireless accessory options
While Enhance Select 50R is designed for all-around use, there are certain situations where you may need more. For this reason, Jabra offers several wireless accessories to improve audibility in specific difficult listening situations:
- TV Streamer: Connects to your television and streamed audio wirelessly to your 50R devices.
- MultiMic: A portable wireless microphone, or spouse-mic as they are often called, offering you clearer audio in complex situations.
- Phone Clip+: The Phone Clip+ can be used with older mobile devices to stream both calls and music to your hearing aids. It also doubles as a remote control.
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These accessories, which are sold separately, appear straight out of the accessory lineup of GN Resound—a giant in the prescription hearing aid category known for their wireless technology, lending confidence in their overall quality.
Testing Jabra Enhance Select 50R in the HearAdvisor lab
HearAdvisor™ is an independent lab that provides objective comparisons of prescription, over-the-counter, and hearable devices. All products are tested in two settings which approximate what consumers experience when fit with hearing aids:
- Initial Fit: The Initial Fit programming reflects how a device performs “out of the box” when the recommended settings are used. Volume adjustments may be made depending on the device, but real-ear measurements are not performed. HearAdvisor’s Initial Fit aims to reflect the performance most people experience with their hearing aids. For Select 50R, this meant having the device programmed to our test hearing loss by Jabra’s remote team. It was then tested in our lab at those settings with the default open dome.
- Tuned Fit: The second test setting involves professional adjustments, such as real-ear measurements, and optimizing the device’s amplification. This reflects how hearing aids perform when you are professionally fit by a hearing care provider and best practices are followed. For Select 50R, this meant changing to a more occluding closed dome, increasing app volume, and adjusting the app’s 3-Band equalizer to best match prescribed amplification levels.
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Top-line results for Jabra Enhance Select 50R
HearAdvisor testing shows that Jabra Enhance Select 50R performs similarly to other quality OTC self-fit hearing aids and can improve your ability to hear speech clearly. App adjustments can improve the Select 50R’s performance compared to the default settings, though feedback may become an issue unless a more occluding dome is used.
The Select 50R hearing aids had an overall SoundScore of 3.8, earning them a "B" SoundGrade and placing them in a favorable position compared to other OTC hearing aids.
Here are the lab scores for the Jabra Select 50R for the five test parameters in the two test conditions. For the overall scores and to hear sound samples, please see Sound Performance Lab Results at the bottom of this page.
OVERALL SOUNDSCORE: 3.8 | Initial | Tuned |
|---|---|---|
Score | 2.7 | 2.8 |
Speech in Quiet/Mod | 2.8 | 3.8 |
Speech in Noise | 0.8 | 0.8 |
Speech Performance
Enhance Select 50R was found to perform similarly to other OTC self-fit hearing aids. The initial settings from Jabra offered less amplification than standards would suggest for the hearing loss used which is common among default recommendations. We were able to improve the initial speech performance by making adjustments within the app, especially in quiet to moderately loud environments.
Feedback
No feedback, or squealing, was present when testing Enhance Select 50R.
Sound of your Own Voice
This metric is largely affected by the domes you use and how well they plug your ears. 50R’s default open domes did not occlude or plug the ear, resulting in an above-average score, while the vented closed dome used for Tuned tests was more occluding and may cause a slight “boomy” voice quality. This change was made for the Tuned testing in order to provide more gain, or amplification, for speech clarity without causing feedback.
Streamed Music
Select 50R performed similarly to other self-fit OTC devices for streamed music. You may experience marginal improvements with music sound quality by changing to a more occluded, or plugged, fit. However, music sound quality falls short of advanced earbuds and other devices designed around higher fidelity music reproduction.
The final verdict: Should you buy Jabra Enhance Select 50R hearing aids?
There is much to like about Jabra Enhance Select, and the brand sets a high bar for OTC hearing aids. You can purchase with confidence, knowing these devices are medical-grade researched products from GN ReSound. Jabra has adapted them well and implemented a smooth remote-care platform so you can use these devices without direct care from a hearing care provider.
They are worth considering if you wish to avoid in-person care and traditional audiology clinics. You will also need to be mildly tech-savvy to pair 50R with the mobile app, navigate occasional virtual appointments, and handle routine hearing aid maintenance on your own.
Based on my testing, these devices are also geared towards those with milder hearing issues, as the default settings offer minimal amplification. This can be adjusted with remote appointments and app changes though it may be difficult to pinpoint your best settings. Lastly, 50R offers stable wireless features, although the audio streaming was not the best. Those expecting high-fidelity wireless audio for music, podcasts, etc., may want to look elsewhere.
Where can you buy Jabra Enhance Select 50R and what other alternative products are there?
Jabra Enhance Select 50R is available for purchase online directly from Jabra at the JabraEnhance.com website, as well as at retailers like BestBuy and Walmart. If you like the Jabra Enhance Select line, you should also check out their two higher-tier products—Jabra Enhance Select 300 ($1,695) and Select 700 ($1,995)—that offer newer and more advanced processing and better chargers.
Additionally, the Jabra Enhance Pro line can be purchased at Costco Hearing Aid Centers with direct support from their hearing care providers, starting at $1599. They are, therefore, not OTC products, meaning you receive professional personalized hearing care from Costco’s providers (e.g., real-ear measurements, etc.).
Along with Jabra Enhance, there are also several other quality OTC hearing aids and hearables with high SoundScores that our lab named as HearAdvisor Expert Choice Award winners. These include the Sony CRE-E10, Lucid Tala, and Lexie B2 Plus Powered by Bose. You can read more about these on HearingTracker's Best OTC hearing aids page.
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