JLab - 2-in-1 Hear OTC Hearing Aid and Earbuds - Graphite

Overview: Nice fit, good battery life and a good price. If you are looking for some simple hearing enhancement, then these JLAB 2 in 1 Earbuds may be right for you. However, if you also want dynamic sounds quality, then keep looking. Set Up: • Set up was easy once I found the correct app. The QR code in the instructions pointed to the standard JLAB sound app instead of the JLAB Hearing App. • Ear tips – you do get a number of ear tips options to choose from along with a larger outside rubber housing as well. Good set up here. Operation: Once set up, The App provides the following options: -Hearing modes -Loud Environment -Restaurant -Conversation -Quiet Environment I don’t feel any of them isolated the ambient sound enough and enhanced what I really wanted to hear. Have a hard time choosing what works best for me, maybe over time I will dial this in. -Hearing Levels -Level 1 though 4 for each ear may be chosen -Remove Background Noise -There is a slider you can move from Normal to Less Noise -Auto Play/Pause Sensors -ON/Off -Update Firmware Earbud controls: - The touch sensors works well. Your options are as follows: Hearing aid mode; o Volume - Press Hold o Sound Mode change - 2x press for - Media mode; o Play/Pause – 1 x Press o Volume - Press Hold o Skip Track – 2x Press o Answer/Hang up – 2x Press You also have the ability to put the earbuds in Hearing Aid Mode Only, or Bluetooth Mode Only. Good feature if you want to stop any interruption from phone notifications. This can be irritating when in a conversation and you get a phone notification, the hearing mode will go off and you lose the ability to hear well in that moment. You do have to make this adjustment with the earbuds in the case. I do wish this was a simple option within the APP. Operation: Overall, I find that these are fine for baseline hearing, but not great for audio. There is no bass, very tiny when listening to music/audio. The fit is good and the built-in USB connector in the case is nice as well. I do wish that the app would evaluate your hearing and adjust to my personal hearing loss, perhaps something they can add to the app in the future? Conclusion: So overall, as mentioned above, if you need some sound amplification for hearing, you will get that at a fair price. I do think they could do more to process out the ambient noise to help with picking up the person speaking a bit more. If you also want great audio sound for music etc., then I would look at other options.

The Hear OTC Hearing Amplifier & Earbuds are a remarkable innovation that neatly bridges the gap between traditional hearing aids and modern earbuds. The seamless Bluetooth connectivity allows users to easily pair the device with their smartphones, making it a versatile choice for those looking to enhance their hearing while also enjoying music or taking calls, just like with standard earbuds. One of the standout features of this device is its dual-mode functionality, which offers users the flexibility to switch between the Hearing Amplifier mode for enhanced sound and a combined mode that includes Bluetooth connectivity. This effortless transition enhances the user experience, whether you’re in a loud environment or simply relaxing at home. In terms of design, the Hear OTC Hearing Amplifier & Earbuds excel. They mimic the traditional earbud fit, providing comfort for extended wear. With six different sets of earbud tips—including specialized vented tips designed for natural hearing—users can customize their fit according to personal preference. This attention to comfort is essential, particularly for those who may wear them throughout the day. The addition of four preset hearing modes—Loud Environment, Restaurant, Conversation, and Quiet Environment—further elevates the device’s functionality. The ability to adjust based on your surroundings without the hassle of app access makes it intuitive and user-friendly. Whether navigating a vibrant street or having a quiet dinner, the Hear OTC ensures that users can tailor their auditory experience to suit their needs. Furthermore, independent volume and touch controls add another layer of personalization. Being able to control the volume separately for each earbud, along with the ability to switch modes and manage calls or media without an app, enhances ease of use. It’s a thoughtful design that allows for quick adjustments on the go. A particularly noteworthy feature is the in-ear detection, which automatically manages the Hearing Amplifier mode based on whether the device is being worn. This functionality not only streamlines the user experience but also contributes to battery efficiency. Additionally, the built-in feedback suppression technology helps eliminate unwanted loud noises, making listening clearer and more comfortable. In summary, the Hear OTC Hearing Amplifier & Earbuds offer a compelling blend of modern technology and user-friendly design. They effectively cater to those with hearing challenges while also functioning as high-quality earbuds for music and calls. With their comfort, versatility, and intuitive controls, they are a worthwhile investment for anyone seeking to enhance their auditory experience in various environments. Whether you need assistance in conversations or simply want to enjoy your favorite tunes, this device stands out as a reliable, all-in-one solution.

***Introduction:*** I was excited when these came in the mail. Did my excitement last? ***Build Quality:*** The JLab Hear earbuds look well-made, with a grey plastic body that has a matte finish. On the ear tip side, there’s a bit of see-through plastic, but the whole design blends together seamlessly. The build quality feels solid, and the grey color, combined with the sturdy weight, gives the impression of durability. It’s a nice change from the usual JLab black, and it makes these earbuds feel a little more special. The case is slimmer than previous models, with the same look and texture as the earbuds. Unfortunately, the appearance and feel are where the excitement ends. ***Fit:*** The design of these earbuds made them harder to fit in my ears than other JLab products I’ve used, even when trying out different tips, and even for a friend with a vastly different ear canal size and shape. The sound-isolation was disappointing, especially for the price. They did stay in very well - lasting through a set of burpees. Most buds don’t. They can be worn in the “wrong” ears and feel very comfortable. So there’s that (included in the photos). ***Sound:*** If I’m being generous, the sound quality is tuned for vocals. If I’m simply giving unfiltered feedback, it’s tinny. No matter which ear tips I tried, the sound didn’t improve much, and even with the best fit, listening to music wasn’t a great experience. My excitement of received the Hear buds quickly faded, and I found myself thinking, “Well, I guess they’ll be my backup set.” The hearing-aid functionality works fairly well, but it’s not quite good enough. The sound quality and poor fit make it less of the spy device we all imagined as kids, and more of a device that makes you want to just take them out after a while. ***CONTROLS:*** You tap either earbud to pause, which is convenient, but adjusting the volume is another story. Holding the earbuds to control the volume is a hassle, making it hard to find the perfect level. I found myself relying on my phone’s volume rocker instead, which was far easier to use. ***FEATURES:*** Unlike other JLab products, the JLab Hear buds don’t allow you to turn off passthrough mode, which would be useful. Sometimes I Just want a quiet environment without wearing earplugs. The Hearing Health app - compared to the app for other JLab products - is considerably stripped down. Perhaps JLab were trying to simplify it for older users, but the app ends up holding back a set that could have more potential. Adding a simple toggle or advanced settings option could easily fix this issue and give the Hears another star. ***NOISE CONTROL:*** Having worn shooting muffs, I expected the Hear buds to handle sharp sounds better (like clapping, setting a hard object down, cutting food). I was hopeful for a muffling. Instead, the buds amplified everything, making those sharp sounds even more noticeable. There really should be an toggle in the app to reduce this. ***DRAWBACKS:*** There’s no option to customize taps or holds to match the user experience JLab fans are familiar with. The buds don’t have the flexibility you’d expect from a JLab product, and they miss out on key features that would make them feel more advanced. ***CONCLUSION:*** In the end, I’m disappointed. I’ve bought many JLab products in the past. Including these, I have even been given two review sets. Hands down, no question, these are by far my least favorite. They look good and feel durable, but don’t deliver where it counts: sound, fit, and functionality. The hearing-aid feature works to a point, but the issues with sound quality and comfort drag it down. I’m giving them 3 stars.

I wish I had better things to say about the JLab - 2-in-1 hear OTC Hearing Aid and earbuds - Graphite but unfortunately, that's not the case. To start these Hearing Aid / Bluetooth earbuds are a little tricky to get paired to your device compared to all of my other Bluetooth earbuds and headphones. I first tried to pair them like other earbuds I have that are similar in nature but that did not work. Then I read the instructions and followed them and still probably took me 20 minutes before I was successful. Then once they were paired I was not overly impressed with the earbud performance. They do not get loud enough and the in-app EQ only has one JLab signature setting and one custom setting. They have decent sound sometimes with music and are okay for talk shows. The one area they are pretty good in is phone calls. The calls are very clear and the other people can hear me clearly. As I type this right now every time I hit my keyboard I get an annoying feedback sound. Which leads me into the hearing aid section of this review. The settings in the app do not really help anything or change anything. It has four different modes and I can not tell the difference between any of them.Whether I turn one on two or all of them they go in and out of hearing aid mode whether the auto/ play and pause sensors switch is on or not. It drives me nuts You should be able to turn hearing aid mode on or off in the app settings. I have also tried carrying on a conversation with my wife and they just don’t work right. I get a high-pitched noise in my ear. The software on these things is crazy with the mic fading in and out and while I can hear my footsteps louder I do really hear voices louder like I should. At this point I am taking them out because I just can not stand it any longer. JLab is going to have to do a lot of refining and updating to get these things as usable for hearing aids of any sort. I have another pair of JLabs I bought and I never use those because they also only work good for phone calls for sound quality. I had high hopes that these would be better but nope same old sound signature. I never write such negative reviews and I hate to have to do it but these are just to bad. If you want a good pair of earbuds and are on a Budget buy some Anker earbuds. They are not fancy with lots of features but they work well for their intended purpose. Sorry JLab but you all need to do better.I can not recommend this product.

I like that these earbuds look very similar to regular audio earbuds and not old like hearing aids. For a younger person to have hearing aids is super awkward but again these look natural. To connect the device it is a simple Bluetooth connection, but make sure you remove the stickers before you start the process. Also a full charge is very helpful so that when you were testing it out, you don’t get the low battery issue. You know that is easy to plug up even on the go with the battery pack. I downloaded the app just to see what was offered, but I don’t use it very often. It’s fairly easy to adjust the volume by pressing and holding the outside of the earbud, I find that volume for is a little too loud volume one and two aren’t loud enough so my comfort level is volume three. Make sure you use sound mode when you’re out and about it will make hearing a lot easier. It’s even cooler that you can use these earbuds with Bluetooth media so the two in one feature is perfect. The charging case comes with the cord attached, but it’s super short, which is a little annoying but overall, I am happy with these hearing aid