Jabra has released the Enhance Select 700 hearing aids, a near-identical update to the previous 500 model that replaces it entirely. The new version introduces minor enhancements like improved speech clarity in noise and hardware filters, while maintaining the same core features and pricing structure. These over-the-counter devices continue to emphasize professional audiology support and user-friendly app controls.
The Jabra Enhance Select 700 hearing aids serve as a direct successor to the Enhance Select 500, which they have fully replaced in Jabra's lineup. Alongside the 700, the company offers the lower-end Enhance Select 300 and 50R models. Visually and functionally, the 700 mirrors its predecessor closely, weighing 2.58 grams per device—a negligible 0.02-gram difference from the 500. Available in six colors, including a new red option, the aids come in silver, black, gray, beige, bronze, and red, allowing for better personalization than the previous gray-only 500 reviewed by testers.
Key specifications remain unchanged. The companion mobile app provides four preset environmental modes: All-Around, Restaurant, Music, and Outdoor. Users can adjust volume separately for each ear and fine-tune frequencies across three levels without needing professional intervention, though Jabra's audiology team offers on-demand support, often responding within an hour to tuning requests. Battery life holds at 24 hours per full charge, with the charging case providing an additional 72 hours. While the aids double as earbuds for media streaming, the audio quality in this mode is described as poor.
A notable policy shift eliminates the previous option for a one-year warranty without audiology support, which had reduced prices by $200. Now, all models include three years of warranty and support. The primary upgrade is SoundScape Auto Focus, a hardware-integrated feature that enhances speech clarity in noisy environments by dynamically filtering background sounds and prioritizing voices from any direction. Initial testing showed mixed results; in a restaurant with loud music, the reviewer struggled to hear conversations and required an app-based tuning adjustment from Jabra, after which performance improved variably by setting.
Hardware tweaks include tiny changeable filters over the microphones to prevent dirt buildup, with ample replacements included alongside multiple ear tip sizes. Priced at an MSRP of $1,995, the 700 costs $300 more than the $1,695 Select 300. Reviewers note no dramatic audio improvements over the 500 and recommend sticking with existing models or opting for the 300 for mild to moderate hearing loss, unless budget allows for the latest tweaks.