Lively Hearing Aids, now Jabra Enhance: A 2023 Review
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About 13% of people in the United States over the age of 12 experience hearing loss in both ears. Additionally, about 2% of adults between the ages of 45 and 54 have disabling hearing loss — and the percentage only increases for older age groups.
A hearing aid can help amplify sounds and allow people with hearing loss to follow conversations.
As of August 2020, the most expensive drug in America is Myalept, a drug used to treat leptin deficiency. A month’s worse of this drug costs $71, 306 per month, according to research from GoodRx. Myalept is known as an “orphan drug” because it’s intended to treat a rare disease.
However, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders explains that only 30% of people ages 70 and older and 16% between the ages of 20 and 69 who could benefit from hearing aid technology use a hearing aid — likely because of the barriers involved in getting one.
Most prescription hearing aids can cost anywhere from $900 to $6,000 or more, and they aren’t fully covered by medical insurance.
Lively, now known as Jabra Enhance, is a company that provides direct-access prescription quality hearing aids online. The company’s pricing is more affordable compared with similar devices on the market.
Jabra’s hearing aids are available for purchase online and are listed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Lively only recently rebranded as Jabra Enhance after being acquired by GN Group. GN Group is an audio technology manufacturer that was founded in 1869. Prior to the rebrand, Jabra primarily offered audio tech solutions like headsets and speakers.
While the Jabra brand is relatively new to the online hearing aid market, its hearing aids are produced by a decades-old hearing aid manufacturer with a solid reputation called ReSound.
Though Lively now goes by Jabra Enhance, we will continue to refer to this brand as Lively throughout this article.
Types of hearing aids
Hearing aids aren’t suitable for everyone with hearing loss. However, taking Lively’s at-home hearing test and consulting with their audiologists can help you determine if they’re a good fit for your needs. The hearing aids are best for those with mild or moderate hearing loss.
The company recommends getting an in-person exam before purchasing hearing aids. This can rule out potential underlying medical causes for hearing loss. An exam can also determine whether a hearing aid will help you, since a hearing aid won’t benefit all people with hearing loss.
Hearing aids vs. PSAPs
Personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) are certain over-the-counter (OTC) devices that often cost way less than a regular hearing aid. PSAPs are not for people with hearing loss, but are meant for people with average hearing who need amplification in certain environments.
The FDA doesn’t currently allow PSAPs to be sold as hearing aids. Lively Enhance offers hearing aids, not amplifiers. The FDA recently issued a final rule allowing certain hearing aids to be sold over the counter, which may improve access to hearing aids for millions of people in the United States.
Whether you decide to opt for a hearing aid or a PSAP, it’s essential to get a hearing exam first. A hearing aid specialist or audiologist can help you figure out the next steps and determine whether you need a customized hearing aid.
