Jabra Enhance Pro – initial experience

Hearing Aids
#1

I have been wearing the Jabra Enhance Pro (Costco) for a couple of weeks and am posting some initial thoughts about my experience. I have been wearing Costco KS9s (aka Phonak Marvel 90s) for past three years and have been very pleased with them, and that is my reference point for comparison.

I have the Jabra rechargeable model and am very pleased with that part. My KS9s were 312 battery model. Charging is really easy, I think the charger is induction as there are no charging contacts to line up. Just drop them in right/left sides and it works without a hitch. I wear all day (i.e. 12-14+ hours) with periodic streaming and the battery indicator in app shows I’ve got about 40% remaining at end of day.

Jabra form factor seems to be a bit smaller than KS9. They are very comfortable for all-day wear, and I notice them less behind my ears than I did the KS9s. Fit is great, I use open domes and don’t notice that I am wearing them during the day.

Jabra has a unique shape that has somewhat of a point on the top and this interferes with temples when I’m wearing reading glasses. Not a big problem and I deal with it, but that is still a minor downside of the design.

I am using regular (MP) receivers initially, my provider at Costco (whom I really like) doesn’t think I’m a good candidate for M&RIE. The domes slip on and off as expected, and wax filters seem easier to change out than KS9s. But then again I never had a problem with replacing wax guards for KS9s.
Jabra HAs sound … really good! The sound is different than KS9s – overall, more of an open, fuller and expansive type of sound if that makes sense.

HAs were set up using Jabra (Resound) Audiogram+ algorithm and this definitely emphasizes high frequencies. Only adjustments we’ve made so far is to turn down the default volume a couple of clicks. With high frequency emphasis and initial volume levels, I felt once again like I did when first wearing HAs – i.e. water running in the sink, crinkling paper, etc. were jarring. Adjusting the default volume down just a bit has fixed that up well for me.

The Jabra app is nice, and I find it to be much more useful than Phonak app. Previously I used the Phonak app with KS9s maybe once a month, otherwise just used Autosense and left it at that. I have been using Jabra app frequently to change settings and apps and find it to be of much more value.
Wind noise when walking outdoors was a problem with KS9s and is a problem with Jabra. We added an “outdoor” program to Jabra app at my last appointment, and this is supposed to help but I haven’t been able to try it as of yet :blush:.

I regularly used the TV Streamer with KS9s, and so also got the Jabra TV Streamer. KS9/Phonak streamer is good but overall I like the Jabra/Resound streamer better – it works better with connection and range, and I can control function and volume well with the Jabra app.

While overall HA experience has been positive, other than TV streamer, the rest of streaming has been a mixed bag so far. I am an Android user (Galaxy S22 with Android 13) and BT integration with KS9 (Phonak) is great. I knew going in that Jabra has been designed for, and works best with iOS and iPhones. HAs link up successfully with Android, and the Jabra app connects and works well.

Phone calls connect well but are one-way – i.e listen through HAs and talk through mic on phone, that isn’t a problem. But, overall the sound for phone calls and all other streaming (music, audiobooks) from phone is odd – it seems to switch back and forth between a centered stereo image and noticeable discreet left and right. The sound seems to move from center to sides and back, randomly and frequently.

My Costco specialist didn’t have any ideas for streaming correction, and I’ve not yet been able to get thru to Jabra tech support to discuss – hold times have exceeded 30 mins couple of times I have tried.

Has anyone else had any experience with Jabra and Android streaming? I’m so far not getting used to it and this is annoying, so we’ll see if it becomes a dealbreaker during my trial period.

I’ll update further with anything new.

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#2

I used them with ear molds and an iPhone 14 Pro Max. The sync with 16.2 iOS is very good. When I was on 15 iOS it was spotty but with the upgrade to 16.2 it has solved a lot of issues and connects well now. If I use an iPad I have to be sure the Bluetooth is turned off or the hearing aids will sync with the iPad and I have to go through a number of steps to get them synced with the iPhone again. I use a Micro-Mic, which I have had since I had KS6s. which it syncs well with. On plane trips I use this to plug into the speaker outlet on the plane or on the iPad. Works great. Overall it has been positive like your experience.

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#3

Hi all. Newbie here.
I have had my Jabra Enhance Pros from Costco for a few weeks now. In general they do help with normal use but I have issues with streaming or Bluetooth. Basically the HA seems to cut off anything below 500Hz.
As an example, watching some movie with headphones over the hearing aids, you hear drums etc and lots of low frequency sounds that add airiness but if I remove the headphones (TV speakers off), I complete lose the drums etc and am left with some really tinny artificial sound. The same happens with bluetooth for phone calls, it is really tinny sound. I can just about make out what people are saying.
Do you have similar experience? How do you guys use the HA for TV etc? Any insights recommendations would be welcome.

#4

If you have open domes, they let you use your existing low frequency hearing capabilities.

#5

Best way is using the tv streamer 2, now about that those low frequencies, if your using the headphones “over” your HAs then the HAs are giving you the sound, but your tv might need additional adjustments to help you hear those drums! Do you use the App, you can make adjustments there as well.
Of course you can ask your fitter at Costco to make some adjustments at your next appointment.
Post your audiogram as this will help everyone with advice.

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#6

If only my audi could adjust my aids so that I don’t hear drums…

ahh geeze here I go again: a lot of pop songs start with a HEAVY 4/4 drum beat leading into the music, where it continues throughout…because, ya know, that tricky 4/4 rock beat requires a loud, heavy drum beat to allow me follow the music…(eyeroll emoji).

#7

Thanks. Part of the issue is that I don’t want to wake up everyone in the house, so watch TV with speakers off.

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#8

I do use the TV streamer 2. The issue I assume to be is that the Jabra’s are not clever enough to realise that there is no air boost for the lower frequencies when streaming.
It is not ideal but you can somewhat resolve the issue by turning the TV speakers on but there is no such option for phone calls or if you are listening to bluetooth music through your phone.
It is either design limitation or the fitter at Costco wasn’t aware of this…

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#9

I’m a new Jabra owner, too, as of 2 weeks ago.

The app allows you to boost bass. Has that helped? Also, I’ve read that open domes allow bass to ‘leak out’. I just went to mo(u)lds, and music through my hi-fi sounds better to me. At the same time, I’ve read that open domes are best for musicians…

I use the streamer for TV. I’m enjoying not needing the closed captions so much that I haven’t paid attention to music on TV. :slightly_smiling_face:

Do you have the M&RIE receivers?

#10

I used the Costco Jabras for two months and liked them - more about my experience in earlier posts in this thread. I have, however, returned the Jabras and gone back to using my KS9s (i.e. Phonak Marvel 90s).

I really liked the “open” sound with Jabras and they worked well as HAs. My principal issue was with BT streaming, but different than your issue now. I am an Android user, and the BT streaming with Android is significantly challenged, although I understand that Jabras work very well with iPhones. I use streaming for phone calls, audiobooks and music, YouTube, etc. and it wasn’t sufficient with Jabra/Android. Phonak has the Android streaming part solved very well so back to my KS9s for now, until a next generation (KS11s?) are released where I’ll consider updating once again.

More related to your question, I used the Jabra TV streamer and found it to work really well - works as well or better than Phonak TV streamer. My objective with TV streamer is to better hear/understand dialog and that’s not same frequencies you’re dealing with. But the Jabra TV streamer is definite plus.

I agree with other comments that the type of dome you’re using might have significant impact with lower frequencies. My audi really wants me to use a closed dome in left ear, but I’m not willing due to not liking the occlusion feel. When I was experimenting with domes early on, the closed dome made a huge difference with hearing low frequencies – you could try that if you’re using open domes now. But note that you can’t just switch out open to closed on the fly as they need a different programming setup from your audi.

I also use over the ear headphones to be able to include my HAs in the mix. Over ear headphones are my choice for listening to music etc. as I can substantially increase low frequencies with EQ. I use noise canceling headphones principally for travel, but am still looking for the “right” headphones that are comfortable enough (roomy enough?) with HAs to use more frequently. I’m curious what headphones you use – do you like them, are they comfortable with your HAs for longer term use?

Good luck … keep us posted on your experience!

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#11

Human Voice is 300-3400Hz (what the telephone network carries). I did some basic tone testing (tone generator app on the phone) and at a guess the cutoff is around 600 Hz. That means you are losing 1 octave of the speech spectrum. That is 1 out of roughly 3.5 octaves. (300-600-1200-2400-3400).
I understand about the HA helping following the dialog but while watching a movie bombs go off etc and if you don’t hear them, it just isn’t good enough.
In terms of headphone for watching TV, the headphone needs to support low latency (LL) so as not to lose lip sync. And needs to be mega comfortable to be able to wear for hours at a time. Also, for me, needs to be closed back so as not to disturb the missus.
My previous set was Sennheiser RS170s which I found quite comfortable. The current set is HyperX Cloud MIX, coupled with an Avantree Oasis Plus Certified aptX HD Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter. The key thing to look out was the size of the ear cups. They need to be large enough to not squeeze your ears and also deep enough not to press on your ears. The headband is a bit tight but I extend the headband to the max and it seems to reduce the pressure and I can wear them for long periods.
I also have Bose QC35s which I find extremely comfortable and they may be a better choice for listening just to music as they don’t support Bluetooth LL, so OK but not ideal for watching TV. I just tried them over the HA (not for an extended period) and they seemed to be OK.

#12

Glad you like them.
I played with the boosts some but it does not seem to be making that much difference. Will keep experimenting.
I just read about the M&RIE yesterday and haven’t had a time to fully investigate. My right ear is quite bad, so needed a full mold. The left ear is better but I have the regular receiver and I am not sure if you need it in both ears for the function to work.

#13

It is very possible M&RIE was not designed for your loss. The mold for M&RIE is designed differently too.

#14

I have an iPhone 14 Pro Max and running a tone generator on that (Tone Generator Pro by Performance Audio ( Apps for iOS & Android | Performance Audio), streaming directly to my Omnias, wearing very occlusive earmolds (no vent), I can hear sound down to 60 Hz, at least. And every sound from 600 Hz down to that at ~100 Hz intervals. So, there might be something wrong with your app, your phone, or your HA’s or their setup.

I actually hear something at 20 Hz. It sounds pretty broken up. So I’m not sure it’s good for my HA’s to try reproducing that frequency in my Omnia M&RIE receivers. Nor for my iPhone, if I play instead from the iPhone speakers.

Playing from my iPhone speakers, I can hear a clear, steady 60 Hz tone with my left ear, holding the phone up to the HA (the dishwasher’s running loudly in the background right now!). If I try 20 Hz, I get a very brief sound that cuts out - maybe the iPhone is smart enough to protect itself. Every time I launch the 20 Hz sound, it cuts out in a very few seconds.

Edit_Update: A further test, though, shows that I can hear the iPhone speaker sound with my natural hearing, even if I turn off the external mics on my HA’s. When streaming from the tone generator, the only source of the sound is my Omnia M&RIE receivers.

As a test of how good the iPhone tone generator is, I removed my HA’s from my ears and held both HA receivers up to my Galaxy Note 8, running a frequency spectrum analyzer. When the tone generator was set at 500, 400, or 300 Hz, I got peaks centered at those frequencies in my Galaxy Note 8 spectrum analyzer. At 200 Hz, I didn’t observe any peak there on the Galaxy Note 8 analyzer, but it did seem at that frequency, with the HA’s out of my ears, that feedback was going crazy, with a ton of peaks up in the 3 to 4 kHz region.

Something to keep in mind, these are ISO-certified medical devices that had to be thoroughly vetted for their sound reproduction capabilities. According to ReSound, the figure below represents the sound reproduction capabilities of the M&RIE receivers, which are ~like MP receivers. The graphs show that they’ve been certified to reproduce sound down to at least 100 Hz. So, there’s either something wrong with the HA’s or the tone generation setup if anyone’s HA’s can’t reproduce such low-frequency sound, presuming the same sort of receivers are used by ReSound in the Jabras.

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Further note: the tone generator app I’m using may no longer be sold in the Apple App Store. I can’t seem to find it now. I bought it over two years ago.

Yet a Further Note: To further test how the tone generator worked on my iPhone, I played tones from the iPhone speaker into the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 microphone on the bottom of the phone. At 100 Hz intervals from 500 Hz down to 100 Hz, there was a distinct leading lower peak at the nominal frequency generated, 500, 400, 300, 200, and 100, with higher harmonics of each frequency generated. At 60 Hz on the iPhone, there was no distinct 60 Hz peak but instead a 172 Hz peak with a broad shoulder on down. At 30 Hz, the highest peak was 150 Hz, with a shoulder peak at 89 Hz on a broad shoulder on down. Both 60 Hz and 30 Hz sound appropriately lower to me than 100, 200, 300, etc., going on up. I should imagine that all real-world vocalizations have harmonics (I played piano keys into the Galaxy Note 8 spectrum analyzer and observed similar harmonics, etc.). There must be some psycho-acoustical phenomenon going on where our brain pays most attention to the leading lowest prominent edge of a sound and labels that the tone and the harmonics just “blend in.”

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#15

Adding some points:

  1. I have true hands-free calls with the Jabra Pro 10s and an Android phone, so it looks like there’s been an update since the OP. Samsung Galaxy S20 5G, Android 13.

  2. These are my 4th HAs since 2010, and it’s much better for music than anything I’ve owned previously. It’s better, to my ears, than the Philips 9030 that I had as loaners for 2 weeks (but the Jabras have a music program, and the 9030s didn’t).

For the first time, I can hear every instrument in an orchestra. I used to listen to music a LOT, but stopped when I started with HAs, since I couldn’t hear the quiet sections without blasting the loud ones. Also, I heard some sort of hole in the octave around middle C and often had a hard time following melodies. I no longer hear the hole with the Jabras, and I can follow melodies more easily, but I still have trouble with melodies. Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, 7th symphony, Symphonie Fantastique, Don Giovanni just don’t sound the way I remember them.

Some of that may be a need to get acclimated to music again, some may be adjustment, some may just be tech limits. I had the audi (sic) lower the amplification around 1000Hz by 2 dB, and that might have done the trick.

  1. I continue to be delighted with the TV streamer, but I have problem with muting and unmuting. I mute the TV during long commercial breaks. Now I have to mute the TV and streamer. Muting the streamer is sometimes difficult because the app shows, by default, a volume control for L & R aids. Sometimes the control for the L aid disappears, so I can’t completely mute the streamer. Admittedly, my phone is not listed as ‘compatible’ by ReSound, although the S20 is. Also, unmuting the streamer is slower than I’d like.

We can’t use our A/V receiver and the streamer at the same time. Our TV (LG 4K, sort of low end) will output to optical and internal speaker simultaneously, but not to optical and HDMI. I could get an optical (TOSLINK) splitter to feed the streamer and the receiver, but optical sound isn’t that much better than the TV’s internal speaker to my wife’s ears. I could also get something that takes HDMI in and splits it to HDMI and optical out, to feed the streamer and the receiver, but it isn’t worth the hassle. Digital sound just doesn’t do much for me.

I sure wish we could easily keep voice sync’ed with video and use the same TV streamer, but my wife has KS10s, not ReSounds or Jabras.

Yeah - 1st world problems…

  1. The multi-mic allows me to stream from my laptop, so virtual meetings are indescribably better than using and external speaker and bumping up my HA volume. I haven’t been able to use it effectively in a restaurant or in a meeting, but we’ve gone to only one restaurant and no live meetings. I hoped to use the multi-mic on our landline for calls with our son. That doesn’t work, because plugging it into one phone turns off the speakers for all our phones.

  2. Voices seem much more natural than with any of the other aids I’ve used. It took a while for me to get used to my W’s voice, but she sounds good now. Actually, my own voice, with molds, has some of the occlusion effect, but I’m happy to live with that, given the other benefits.

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#16

You can probably find a lot of advice on improving hearing in a restaurant on the forum. One starter would be to request as quiet a table as possible, e.g., one not right next to the kitchen, the bar, etc. Once on a trip with my wife, I got the best results with the Multi Mic in a McDonald’s by having us sit off in a corner with her sitting at a table with an outside wall behind her and me facing her with my back to the main part of the restaurant. Supposedly when the Multi Mic is hanging vertically, its carotid field mainly picks up sound above it. You can still get a pretty good directional effect if you incline the mic down to as much as 45 degrees above horizontal. So, the Multi Mic worked pretty well in that particular McDonald’s selectively propped up facing my wife at a 45-degree angle. This strategy will not work well with many people sitting around a table at a meeting or in a restaurant. In such situations, I’ve asked people with the softest voices to sit closest to me and the mic and had the louder, lower-speaking-voiced folks sit further away. If you have a lot of money, I believe the X receiver for a Roger device can be plugged into the Multi Mic FM port. You could always use a Phonak Roger device with perhaps a bit of latency because of the relay function the Multi Mic is serving.

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#17

Good info. I have a 13Pro max and checked the frequency response of the iphone internal speakers and best to stay 200Hz and above. Around 150Hz the harmonics (that is the multiples of the main frequency) come as close as 20dB, and at 100Hz it is down to 5 dB and I start hearing definite distortion below 150Hz. For the HA, although they claim down to 100Hz, I assume 150Hz+ as useful spectrum.

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I tried to upload my first picture, excuse the lines. As you can see a lot of the human voice is 150-1800 but you still need at least upto 3400 to hear the s’s at the t’s etc. I also tried to upload the capture of some random speech on the second picture. Red line speech, yellow line background noise. And seems that my voice comes down to 100Hz and a lot of the power is between 100 and 1000Hz. (100-200-400-800-1000 =) ~3.2 octaves.
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So if you cut off at 600Hz, you lose base guitars, drums, most of the my voice and a lot of a regular guitar too. That is why that bottom range is very important. Obviously this is an issue if you use open domes as they dissipate a lot of the power of the low frequencies… :pensive:

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#18

Hi All, just a question about Costco fitting. I live in the UK and the audi didn’t do a Real Ear Measurement. What was your experience? Has anybody had REM as part of the fitting? Did you have to ask for it?

#19

All Costco in the US have REM equipment and use it when initially fitting aids. That is one reason I tried them 10 years ago.

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#20

Agree with prodigyplace - Costco in US uses REM with initial fittings and setup. I’ve worked with two different Costcos (Austin, Dallas) for initial fittings, and both used REM for that.

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