Comprehensive guide to hearing aids

Common types & styles

Hearing aids come in many different types and styles. You’ll need to consider which type of hearing aid will work best for you based on your hearing needs, lifestyle, and budget.

In-the-Ear vs. Behind-the-Ear: Which style is right for you?

There are In-the-Ear (ITE) styles like Completely-in-Canal (CIC) and Invisible-in-Canal (IIC), where the hearing aid sits discreetly in the ear canal. With limited space, this tends to result in reduced battery life, connectivity features, and/or sound quality.

The most popular styles are Behind-the-Ear (BTE) styles. Out of these, the most common choice is Receiver-in-Ear (RIE) — where the receiver/speaker is placed in the ear canal and the processing component is placed behind the ear. Many RIEs offer powerful features, such as longer battery life and advanced noise reduction technology, while still packed in a small, discreet model.

Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids

Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids offer convenient features that allow wearers to adjust their hearing aid settings with their mobile device. Utilizing the Bluetooth enabled in the hearing aids allows them to be paired with devices such as an iPhone or Android smartphone.

Some Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, like our Enhance Select hearing aids, also allow customers with compatible devices to stream phone calls or their favorite music or television shows directly to their hearing aids.?

Enhance Select hearing aids connect to your phone with Bluetooth, allowing you to adjust the settings through an app.

Connecting with audiology services

Bluetooth also allows customers to adjust their hearing aid settings using their smartphone or other smart devices, often through an app. For example, if you are in a crowded restaurant, you can use the Jabra Enhance Select app to instantly change the setting on your hearing aids to reduce background noise and focus on speech.

The same connectivity also makes it possible for Jabra Enhance hearing aids to be adjusted virtually by licensed professionals on our Audiology Team. The convenience of telehealth allows Jabra Enhance customers to virtually connect with a licensed hearing professional. Similar to in-person care, customers are able to receive expert advice, assistance, and troubleshooting — all from the comfort of their own home!

Rechargeable vs. battery-powered hearing aids

As you explore hearing aid options, you’ll have to decide how to power your devices. While disposable battery-operated hearing aids have been around long before rechargeable hearing aids, modern technology has made rechargeable options a convenient choice for many.

Rechargeable hearing aids: Rechargeable models are especially beneficial for individuals with limited dexterity, as they eliminate the need to deal with tiny, difficult-to-open battery doors or removing small tabs.

Instead of carrying around extra batteries, you can enjoy a full day of listening on a single charge. Furthermore, when using a portable charging case, you can get multiple days of power while on the go. For example, a rechargeable Jabra Enhance hearing aid can last 24 hours on a single charge and up to 72 additional hours with a portable charging case.

Battery-operated hearing aids: In contrast, relying on disposable batteries requires more planning. Because these batteries typically need to be replaced every few days or weeks, depending on their size, you must always keep spares on hand. This frequent swapping can be tedious and frustrating.

Beyond the inconvenience, the recurring cost of replacements makes disposables a more expensive long-term investment and a significant environmental burden compared to rechargeable models, which help prevent billions of batteries from ending up in landfills. Additionally, small disposable batteries can be hazardous if swallowed, making rechargeable batteries a safer option for those around children.

Over-the-counter hearing aids

In October 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented a new category of “over-the-counter” hearing aids, which could be sold directly to consumers without the required involvement of a licensed professional, paving the way for hearing aids to become more easily and widely available to the general public.

It's important to understand, however, that over-the-counter hearing aids are only intended for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. There are a variety of ways to determine if you fall into that category, including some basic factors described by the FDA.

Which hearing devices are best?

There are no definitive "best" hearing aids, but some may suit your unique needs better than others. The ideal hearing aid for you depends on several factors, including:

1. Your degree and type of hearing loss

Adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss are generally able to use a wider variety of hearing aids, including the newly available OTC options. People with more significant hearing loss, or with special considerations such as ear deformities, have more to consider and should be evaluated by a licensed professional since they may require higher outputs than OTC devices can offer or other more specialized aspects.

See if you are experiencing the kinds of symptoms that the FDA has indicated could be helped with hearing aids like ours or try our online hearing test.

2. Your service preferences and comfort with technology

Everyone is different when it comes to their expectation for care and service. If you prefer not to go to an audiologist office or hearing aid clinic (or do not have easy access to one) and are comfortable managing your hearing aids on your own, OTC may be a great option. If you prefer to not go into an office but want licensed professional customization and guidance on managing your hearing aids, OTC with professional services, like those offered by Jabra Enhance, may also be a great option.

The growth of telehealth is another factor that has broadened access to hearing aids and has fueled the advancement of hearing aid technology.

Jabra Enhance's licensed hearing professionals guide our customers through their journey using telehealth in order to make hearing as easy as possible.

3. Your budget

Budget is an inevitable part of your decision. At Jabra Enhance, we’re here to answer any questions you have.

Hearing aid models sold in clinics often range from $4,000 to over $8,000. Compared to clinics, Enhance Select hearing aids are less than half the price for similar quality. The price for Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids starts at $1,195 — for both ears. You can pay at once, or choose a convenient and flexible payment plan for as little as $34 per month*, depending on your plan.

Besides using your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) when purchasing, or considering a payment plan, you may want to reach out to your insurance provider to check if you are eligible for hearing aid coverage.

*Rates and terms only for checkouts completed between 01/19/26 to 01/26/26. Minimum purchase of $50.00 is required. Availability of terms may vary based on purchase price, product, and state of residence. Down payment may be required. Subject to approval of credit application. Rates range from 0% to 34.99% APR, resulting in, for example 36 monthly payments of $38.19 at 21.99% APR, per $1,000.00 borrowed. APRs will vary depending on credit qualifications, loan amount, and term. Bread Pay® loans are made by Comenity Capital Bank, a Bread Financial® company.