JLab - 2-in-1 Hear OTC Hearing Aid and Earbuds - Graphite
Model: EBHEARRGPH84
SKU: 6594063
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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.
Posted by Mukman
I was able to test the JLab OTC Hearing Aid and Earbuds for several days. My review is mixed. First, they are packaged well. The charging case itself is well made and durable. I am not a fan of the built-in attached USB-C Cable. The cable is super short and limits your charging options. I would prefer a USB-C port with a separate cable. For the earbuds themselves, fit is good with many options in terms of the tip sizes so they will fit any ear size and ear canal opening. Clearly these are not designed to be "hidden" like traditional hearing aids. That is not a deal breaker for me. You can choose hearing aid mode with bluetooth or turn the bluetooth off. I found them better with the bluetooth off for the purpose of hearing aids. With bluetooth turned on, I found it annoying to get all the notifications and sounds through the earbuds. When first powering on, I wish the notifications were delayed more. Hearing aids take about 5-10 seconds to properly seal in your ear canal. These start to make notifications about battery life, etc. almost immediately after taking them out of the case and it is not enough time. I found myself missing the notifications each time because I was still putting them in when it was speaking to me about battery life, etc. That was frustrating. The software is okay at best. It takes almost 10 seconds to load and connect to the hearing aids. So quick adjustments via the App are out. I found the different modes to not have that much difference in terms of hearing. Whether you choose "Loud Environment", "Restaurant", "Conversation", or Quiet Environment", I could not tell a huge difference, subtle at best. I did like the hearing level adjustment to boost the sound. The EQ is decent at best, but again I could not tell a huge difference. Listening to music via bluetooth was mediocre at best. No real noticeable bass at all. Sound was okay. My biggest complaint is that using them as hearing aids, provided little help. Yes, the sounds are all louder, but I cannot say clearer or more concise. I just found the sound to be amplified, and nothing more. No matter the setting, I found a slight echo sound which to me was annoying. It is almost like a delay or echo sound that I found distracting. I tried on several occasions to use these outdoors. They pick up every single sound and it became annoying to wear them. The echo of background noise was a major distraction. To me, these are perfect for people who need short term hearing help. Maybe ordering in a restaurant, having a conversation with someone, or watching TV. I cannot see myself using these for hours or all day long. To me, they are to be used for when someone needs help hearing for a certain need, then putting them back in the case for later use. I think these have a lot of potential with future models as the technology is developed. I cannot recommend these in place of hearing aids that need to be worn all day, butI do not think they are designed to. For short term use, these are fine. But for long term use, these are not a replacement for true hearings aids. Your use may be much different than mine, so give them a shot and see if they work for you. Overall they did not work for me. I will keep them with me if I forget my hearings aids(mild hearing loss), or need something to listen to music, but not a replacement for true hearings aids. Overall these fall short of my expectations and performance.
Posted by BHTurnow
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.
Posted by Goor00inTX
Customers enjoy the crisp and clear sound quality of the 2-in-1 Hear OTC Hearing Aid and Earbuds. They operate well as standard wireless headphones.