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00:00:00 – 00:16:24
Dr. Cliff Olson reviews the Jabra Enhanced Plus over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, focusing on their features, suitability for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, and the importance of proper programming and professional consultation. The review also covers the ReSound hearing aids, noting their small, discreet design and extensive functionalities, including Bluetooth pairing and customizable ear gels. Essential features of the Jabra Enhanced Plus include a 10-hour battery life, extendable to 30 hours with the charging case, and compatibility restricted to iOS 14.0 or higher. The Jabra Enhance app allows for battery management, volume adjustments, and personalized settings based on a hearing test aligned with the Nal nl2 fitting formula. Real ear measurements demonstrate initial amplification discrepancies, especially in higher frequencies crucial for speech clarity, which can be adjusted using the app. The speaker points out potential drawbacks such as the occlusion effect and a lower IP rating than prescriptive hearing aids but emphasizes the benefits and affordability ($800) for newcomers to hearing aids. The video encourages viewers to engage further by leaving questions, sharing, and subscribing.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, Dr. Cliff Olson, an audiologist, reviews the Jabra Enhanced Plus over-the-counter hearing aids. He notes that as of October 2022, these self-fitting hearing aids are now officially available over-the-counter, unlike before when they required a visit to a hearing care professional. Dr. Olson mentions that these devices can be purchased online through a link in the description or his website, hearingup.com. He highlights the many features of these hearing aids, stresses their suitability for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, and provides disclaimers, including the necessity for proper programming and consulting with a professional if experiencing specific medical conditions. He also clarifies that lack of success with these devices does not mean hearing aids won’t work but suggests prescription hearing aids from a professional may be needed.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the presenter showcases the ReSound hearing aids, emphasizing their development by a prominent player in both the consumer headphone and hearing aid markets. The hearing aids are displayed inside their charger, highlighting their small size and discreet design. The presenter demonstrates the features and functionality, noting the variety of ear gel sizes, the closed dome design, and the push buttons that control volume, mute function, and Bluetooth pairing. Additionally, the hearing aids come in multiple colors and offer up to 10 hours of battery life, which is significantly higher than other consumer products.
00:06:00
In this segment, the speaker discusses the Jabra Enhanced Plus self-fitting hearing aids, highlighting their features and compatibility. These devices offer up to 30 hours of additional battery life from their case, critical for daily use although the 10-hour battery life may not be sufficient for an entire day for most users. These hearing aids are currently compatible only with iOS 14.0 or higher, meaning Android users cannot use them. The pairing process involves navigating through iPhone settings. The Jabra Enhance app allows users to manage battery status, adjust volume, and switch between different listening modes such as surround, focus, and adaptive. Users can also customize their hearing profiles and settings, update firmware, and contact support through the app. After taking a hearing test, the hearing aids use the Nal nl2 fitting formula to personalize the audio settings. Real ear measurement is mentioned as an essential process to ensure proper programming of the hearing aids. The speaker’s assistant, who has mild to moderate hearing loss, used these devices to confirm their effectiveness through this method.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker describes the process of setting up for real ear measurement to verify the amount of amplification provided by Jabra Enhanced Plus hearing aids. This involves inserting probe microphone tubes into the ear canals and placing the hearing aids in the ears. The initial settings are compared to the hearing loss prescription, revealing that the default settings under-amplify, especially in higher frequencies essential for speech clarity. The speaker then uses the app to adjust amplification levels, resulting in improved alignment with the prescription. Tests for different speech filters and the Adaptive Directionality feature, which compares front and rear sound amplification, reveal mixed results. While the hearing aids do a decent job with some customization, they are not perfect in their capabilities.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker, an audiologist, discusses the simplicity and user-friendliness of certain hearing aids, while noting the potential drawbacks compared to prescriptive-level hearing aids. They highlight the issue of the occlusion effect, which makes one’s own voice sound boomy due to the ear canal being completely sealed. The speaker explains that while this design aids in feedback suppression and can enhance audio streaming (like music, podcasts, and phone calls) via Bluetooth 5.2, it may not be ideal for individuals who find the occlusion effect bothersome. Additionally, they mention the need for specific iOS versions to utilize hands-free features on iPhones.
00:15:00
In this segment, the speaker reviews the Jabra Enhanced Plus self-fitting hearing aids, highlighting their IP rating of 52, which offers some dust and moisture resistance but is lower than the common IP68 rating found in most prescriptive hearing aids. Despite this, the speaker believes that at $800 per pair, they are valuable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss who are new to amplification. The hearing aids are praised for their small size, comfort, ease of use, rechargeable nature, and direct Bluetooth capabilities. The speaker highly recommends them for individuals who aren’t ready for full professional care. The segment concludes with a call to action for viewers to leave questions, share the video, and subscribe for more content.