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JLab announced today the launch of its Hear OTC Hearing Aid, an earbud-style FDA-registered over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid available for $99—less than most OTC hearing aids which generally retail for between $150-$2,500 per set and far lower than the average prescription hearing aid offered by professionals at an average of $4,700 per set. Although the new JLab hearing aid is a “wear and go” instant-fit device that does not utilize a hearing test or compensate for the user’s individual hearing loss configuration, it is the lowest-priced device we know of that offers a combination of Bluetooth connectivity merged with advanced hearing aid features.
JLab’s Hear OTC Hearing Aid offers directional microphones, four preset hearing aid modes, tap controls, and a relatively simple, optional app for volume control and right/left hearing aid balance. It provides Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with compatible Android and iOS devices, allowing for streamed music, podcasts, and other audio—including hands-free calling. JLab says it seamlessly transitions between use as a “hearing aid only” and “wireless earbud + enhanced hearing” device while offering a battery life of up to 10 hours and a portable charging case that supplies up to 40 more hours of use.
Founded in 2005 in Carlsbad, Calif (north of San Diego), JLab began by making value-priced earbuds but has since expanded to include premium in-ear and over-ear headphones, as well as wireless headphones and Bluetooth speakers. The company describes itself as the #1 accessible True Wireless brand in America.
“In terms of volume, really, nobody sells more earbuds [in the US] other than Apple,” says JLab CEO Win Cramer, who has led the company since 2011. “So we have a big business, and we have the opportunity to delight 50,000 people a day, which is an obligation I take very seriously. And it's a cool journey to have brought this [company] from just a little Amazon brand to what it is today. We don't have the gift or the benefit of a heritage brand name; we're the new guy on the block. But we have the opportunity to build a heritage, and that's what we're working to do.”
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Historically, affordability and accessibility have been significant barriers to the use of hearing aids. Recognizing this, the FDA introduced a new category for OTC hearing aids in October 2022. Despite hearing loss being the third-most common disability among older adults, only about 80% of those who could benefit from a hearing aid use one. The cost of premium prescription hearing aids can exceed $6,000, while OTC hearing aids range from $150 to over $2,000 per pair.
In this context, the JLab Hear OTC Hearing Aid, priced at $99 per set, is positioned as a game-changer. Being manufactured by a leading audio headset brand, it offers affordability while still providing good sound quality and several advanced features that more expensive hearing aids are known for.
Cramer isn’t shy about saying he thinks hearing aids are far too expensive. “We're going to hold the big players accountable to price,” he told HearingTracker. “...We're going to put some pressure to keep this world fair which was the original intent [of the OTC hearing aid legislation]: Let's deregulate this a little bit, give it to the [manufacturers] who have done some consumer work, and drive pricing down. And that will absolutely happen...
“This is a big generalization, but we all use the same [components] inside of a product to make amplification work. Now, [it’s true] you have your own secret sauce; you have the layer on the chip that is yours and that is algorithmically different. But if I strip that aside and I look just at the bill of materials of a product: if I [used] every tier-one component on the planet—coated in solid gold with a diamond [smiling]—I can't build it for over $250.”
However, it's important to note the new JLab Hear OTC Hearing Aid is classified as an FDA Class 2 QUG-type hearing aid. This means that, unlike some of the more expensive self-fitting OTC devices, it relies on a limited number (in this case, four) pre-set amplification programs even though it includes wireless technology and an app (for a review of the FDA classifications, see Dr. Abram Bailey's article “Full List of OTC Hearing Aids in 2024”). Although the device does offer an equalizer for adjusting the streamed music, it does not allow for frequency-specific modifications to the programs within the aid, so it cannot be programmed to compensate for your individual hearing loss. Cramer says the company is developing a self-fitting hearing aid as a “Phase 2” product.
Additionally, as an inexpensive "instant-fit" device, it doesn't offer the same online support, onboarding, troubleshooting, and reprogramming available from hearing care professionals compared to today's more costly OTC hearing aids. Finally, a QUG-type instant-fit device is not required to undergo the FDA's 510k pre-market clearance required for self-fitting devices, a lengthy and complicated process that can be cost-prohibitive for many companies.
However, the new JLab Hear OTC Hearing Aid shows that a relatively advanced instant-fit hearing device can be marketed for under $100.
The new JLab Hear OTC Hearing Aid resembles everyday earbuds, so users feel confident in their use, as it serves as a dual-purpose hearing aid and audio device—reducing the possible feelings of the stigma associated with hearing aids. The company says its earbuds are designed for comfort and come with six sets of earbud tips: vented (open-fitting) tips for a more natural listening experience with reduced occlusion (e.g., better sound for your own voice), or more occluded (closed-fitting) ear tips for those who prefer to accentuate the quality of streamed music and audio.
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According to Cramer, the sound quality is excellent when using the closed-fitting eartips, while the vented eartips leak some of the low frequencies, which is a common trade-off for any type of hearing device. He believes these and other OTC hearing aids will be used predominantly as situational devices by consumers, although he says the JLab aids are comfortable enough to be worn all day.
“Situational uses are important,” says Cramer, who acknowledges there are necessary trade-offs when producing a $99 hearing device. “For example, if you have your $5,000 pair of hearing aids and you're going sailing that day, you might not want to take them along; you might instead [take our devices] at $99. And it’s true that we won't get you all the way to your $5,000 [hearing aid performance level], but we’re going to get you 90%.”
The Hear OTC Hearing Aid can automatically detect and switch between the hearing aid modes as needed, and built-in suppression is designed to remove unwanted noise for clearer and more pleasant listening experiences, says JLab. The four preset modes are Loud Environment, Restaurant, Conversation, and Quiet. Directional microphones provide for better speech-in-noise performance in challenging listening environments.
The hearing aids are compatible with the optional JLab Hearing Health App, enabling users to customize sound by selecting from the preset programs, customizing controls, ensuring safe hearing levels, and adjusting volume based on preference. Independent volume control for left and right earbuds makes personalizing the listening experience simple. Users can also switch between dual mode and preset modes and control calls and media using simple touch controls, with no app needed.
The JLab Hear OTC Hearing Aid has been tested by the independent HearAdvisor lab. While it's currently in the middle of the pack in terms of sound performance for an OTC hearing aid, we're told that it's the best performing OTC hearing aid under $250.
JLab joins other prominent audio brands in the OTC hearing aid market, including Jabra, Sennheiser, Bose, Sony, JVC, and HP. Apple is expected to announce a "hearing aid mode" within its iOS 18 version for Apple Airpods Pro earbuds in September, and it’s widely anticipated that JLB and others will enter the market soon. These electronics leaders are also being challenged by established brands that include Lucid, Nuheara, Eargo, as well as an evolving class of hearable products.
The JLab Hear OTC Hearing Aid is available for $99 at www.jlab.com and Amazon, and it’s expected to be widely available in other popular online and retail venues in the coming months. The product includes a USB-C charging case with integrated cable, three sets of closed tips for focused hearing, and three sets of vented tips for natural hearing. It is covered by a 2-year warranty.
Karl Strom ist der Chefredakteur von HearingTracker. Er war Gründungsredakteur von The Hearing Review und berichtet seit über 30 Jahren über die Hörhilfenindustrie.
