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In November 2022, Lively rebranded to Jabra Enhance following GN Group’s acquisition of Lively in 2021 to expand offerings in the telehealth market. Lively’s existing hearing aid technology will continue to be offered, but now as Jabra Enhance Select 50, Enhance Select 100, and Enhance Select 200.
Lively (now Jabra Enhance Select Hearing Aids) has become well-known for offering a modern, convenient solution to hearing loss. Designed for people with mild-to-moderately severe hearing impairment, their line of affordable hearing aids is sold direct to consumers exclusively online and comes with incomparable customer support from Lively’s renowned audiology team.
By eliminating office visits and pricey overhead, Lively successfully offers three premium hearing aid models all priced under $2,000 per pair—well below the average price of hearing aids purchased through an audiology practice. All three models are registered with the FDA and meet all FDA requirements for hearing aids, ensuring that you’re getting high-quality, medical-grade devices to treat your unique hearing loss. We’ve researched everything Lively has to offer in order to help you make the best choice for your needs and budget.
OVERALL RATING:4.5/5
Features:4.5/5
Cost:4.5/5
Customer Support & Reviews:4.5/5
Why Lively (now Jabra Enhance Select Hearing Aids) is One of Our Top Picks
We like Lively for their quality and affordability, but perhaps most of all for the brand’s commitment to the overall customer experience. They’ve based their sales model on the customer’s ability to “skip the waiting room,” yet they manage to provide professional support from an audiology team to each and every customer, regardless of which model you purchase. Led by Harvey Abrams, head of research audiology, and Christina Callahan, head of clinical audiology, Lively’s audiology team is focused on patient-centric service and efficient audiologic treatment.
Whether you choose the most affordable Lively 2 Lite (now Jabra Enhance Select 50) or the most advanced Lively 2 Pro (now Jabra Enhance Select 200), every model is capable of Bluetooth streaming, custom programming, and remote adjustments by Jabra Enhance’s audiology team through their app. They also provide every customer with three years of follow-up audiology care, a three-year warranty, three-year loss and damage protection, and customer care team support seven days a week.
Lively has designed every step of the customer journey to improve your quality of life by improving your hearing, which we experienced firsthand when we tested Lively hearing aids. From their clear and easy-to-understand directions, to how quickly we were able to get in touch with customer support and the ease-of-use of their app, we can see how this brand has catered to customer needs.
Lively hearing aid box
Key Takeaways
Lively Hearing Aids (now Jabra Enhance Select) are exclusively sold online.
These devices are less expensive than most traditional brands with similar features.
Enhance Select Hearing Aids are for people age 18 or older with mild-to-moderately severe hearing loss.
Enhance Select is not designed for people with severe or profound hearing loss or those who have an underlying medical issue.
You don’t need an audiogram or in-person audiologist visit to purchase Enhance Select Hearing Aids.
You’ll receive support from a Lively audiologist before and after your purchase.
Pros and Cons of Lively (now Jabra Enhance Select Hearing Aids)
Pros
Industry leading 100-day trial period
Monthly financing available
5-minute online hearing test
All models Bluetooth-enabled
Three years unlimited follow-up care
App for personalized use in different listening environments
Cons
Only style is receiver-in-canal (RIC)
Require app use through smartphone or tablet
Telehealth visit with staff required to purchase
No telecoil
Why You Can Trust Our Expert Review
Our experts independently research and test products we believe provide value to the lives of our readers. For Lively (now Jabra Enhance), we personally tested the Lively Pro (now Jabra Enhance Select 200) model in our testing lab located in Raleigh, N.C. Our extensive testing includes:
Charging and battery life
Features included
App usability
Bluetooth connectivity
Ease of cleaning
Performance after submerged in water to verify its water resistance
Durability of the product after dropped
Lively (Now Jabra Enhance Select) Hearing Aid Models
Lively Hearing Aids come in three models: Lively 2 Pro (now Jabra Enhance Select 200, Lively 2 Plus (now Jabra Enhance Select 100), and Lively 2 Lite (now Jabra Enhance Select 50. All three offer the same customer service, Bluetooth connectivity, and warranty coverage, but there are differentiating features that make each model a great choice for your particular needs.
The Lively 2 Pro (now Jabra Enhance Select 200) is Lively’s most advanced and most expensive model in their lineup. It offers premium sound technologies that mimic how the brain interprets incoming sound, selecting and focusing on the sounds you’re trying to hear, to give users the most natural experience possible. This model has rechargeable batteries and comes with a charging case capable of storing up to 30 hours of charge. The Lively 2 Pro is available in eight colors, has automatic volume control to adapt quickly to changing sound environments, and even has a music mode for listening to live music.
In music mode, feedback is detected and canceled more accurately to help distinguish it from live music sounds, which can often get mixed up with feedback tones. This model is compatible with hands-free calling for iPhone models 11 or newer, meaning that you can receive the call’s audio directly through your hearing aids while speaking into your phone’s receiver as you would while using speakerphone.
During our research, we were able to test the Lively 2 Pro, and overall we were impressed with this model. It arrived in quality packaging and was easy to unbox. It also came with clear and thorough setup, use, and maintenance instructions. We did find the domes, which are the soft round pieces that fit snugly into the ear canal, a little tricky to remove and replace. Whereas some models have a firm plastic base underneath the soft dome, Lively’s domes are made entirely of soft silicone, requiring a steady and firm grip to put on and take off.
We also had a little trouble connecting to the app at first, but once we established the connection we loved the super easy user interface for changing settings and volume. It has a simple design, easy to understand icons, and simple wording to make it navigable for even the least tech-savvy users. “Their app has a lot of functionality and options and is also easy to use. It’s one of my favorite apps for patients,” said Dr. Rachel Magann Faivre, Au.D, a longtime audiologist and owner of Oklahoma City-based ASH Audiology.
The Lively 2 Pro offers advanced hearing capability. However, audiologist Brad Ingrao explained: “Although Lively (Enhance Select 200) says the Pro model goes up to 9.5 kilohertz (compared to 8.5 kilohertz in the other models), the hearing instrument boxes that we use only test up to 8 kilohertz. So, when manufacturers claim above that number, it’s something we can’t verify.” Hearing aid test boxes, or hearing instrument boxes, are used by audiologists to test hearing aid features and functionality before the hearing aid reaches the consumer. These boxes input sound, and hearing aid response is measured then compared to expected or advertised performance in order to determine if they are working properly.
As Lively’s standard rechargeable model, the Lively 2 Plus is slightly less advanced but also a less expensive hearing aid than the Lively 2 Pro. This model is ideal for active lifestyles in need of occasionally “trickier” listening, like during one-on-one conversations in crowded or louder areas. That’s because the Lively 2 Plus is focused on offering crisp, natural sound by automatically reducing background noise and prioritizing speech sounds.
It’s available in five colors ranging from silver to brown to black that loosely match or blend with most skin or hair tones. Like the Lively 2 Pro, it has a music mode to clarify live music (while reducing feedback tones) and comes with a charging case that stores up to 30 hours of listening for effective on-the-go recharging. The Lively 2 Plus and Pro models also both allow hands-free calling.
Tip from Lively: For maximum blending and a nearly invisible appearance, Lively recommends finding the closest color match to your hair color as opposed to your skin color. However if you can’t find a great match for your hair color, a skin color match is nearly as good. Considering the extremely small size of the hearing aids, they are barely noticeable—regardless of their color.
The Lively 2 Lite (now Enhance Select 50) model is Lively’s least-expensive and most basic model. It’s their only non-rechargeable option, and each order of the Lively 2 Lite comes with a one-year supply of batteries. Best for one-on-one conversations and quiet environments, this model offers basic noise reduction to provide speech clarity and comes in five colors including silver, brown, and black to help you find the best hair or skin color match. It also offers Bluetooth streaming for calls and music to compatible devices, including all Apple devices and most Androids, although some older Android models may require an adaptive accessory. Unlike the hands-free calling on the Lively 2 Plus and Pro models, the Lively 2 Lite model does not have this feature, so the phone’s microphone is what picks up the voice on the other end. That means the phone needs to be right next to you in order for your voice to be picked up well.
The Lively 2 Lite also doesn’t have the automatic adjustments, music mode, and sound that the other two models do, but it’s a great basic medical-grade hearing aid with modern functionality and technology.
Lively Hearing Aids cost between $1,195–$1,995 per pair. While this pricing isn’t the lowest available online, their direct-to-consumer model allows Lively to offer modern technology and professional support to customers from the comfort of their homes. The company also provides financing through Bread Pay, a third-party service offering loans made by Comenity Capital Bank. With Bread Pay financing, buyers have access to 12- or 18-month repayment terms with as little as 0% APR, or up to 36 months with competitive APR depending on credit score.
Other Payment Options
Lively hearing aids are eligible purchases under most flexible spending (FSA) and health (HA) accounts. These accounts offer people the opportunity to set aside tax-free money for purchases generally related to health, wellness, and medical needs, which is a nice option that other OTC companies at this point don’t offer. Your health insurance may also cover a portion of the cost of your hearing aids, so it’s worth contacting your insurance company for clarification regarding potential coverage. Lively’s website mentions Federal Employee Health Benefits specifically as having programs that cover all or a portion of your hearing aid expenses.
If you’re using alternative payment methods like health insurance or flexible spending and health accounts, Lively does a good job of walking you through the process to ensure that you get all the coverage you’re entitled to. Keep in mind that for insurance coverage, you’ll be expected to pay out-of-pocket prior to applying for reimbursement, and you’ll need an official audiogram to prove that your hearing aids are a necessary health-related purchase. Once you’ve sent your audiogram to Lively’s team, you can purchase your hearing aids and have a video consultation with a licensed hearing specialist. They’ll send you the necessary paperwork for reimbursement through your insurance.
Cost
Rechargeable battery
Ideal Use Environment
Colors Available
Lively 2 Pro (Jabra Enhance Select 200)
$1,995 or as low as $65 per month
✅
Complex environments with background noise and/or multiple sources of focused sound, live music
8
Lively 2 Plus (Jabra Enhance Select 100)
$1,595 or as low as $52 per month
✅
“Tricky” listening situations, like one-on-one conversations in crowded places
How Lively (Now Jabra Enhance) Online Hearing Aids Work
To start the process of purchasing new Lively hearing aids, you’ll need to have a hearing assessment. This can be done by their five-minute free online hearing test, or by submitting an audiogram from a recent audiologist appointment. The hearing aids you choose will be programmed according to your results and delivered to your door in just a few days.
Once you’ve received your hearing aids, you’ll have a video orientation with one of Lively’s licensed hearing specialists. They’ll review your health history, discuss your personal hearing goals, go over hearing aid use and maintenance, help you to check the fit of your new hearing aids, and walk you through connecting and using Lively’s smartphone app.
“Hearing aids purchased and programmed online set gain levels conservatively for comfort. That means a person won’t get all the high-frequency hearing back that their hearing loss warrants, meaning clarity of speech will be sacrificed a little,” said Dr. Faivre.
Lively (Now Jabra Enhance) Online Hearing Test
To be sure that Lively hearing aids are appropriate for you, Lively offers a free, five-minute hearing test you can take on your computer, tablet, or phone to determine if you have mild hearing loss to moderately severe. Designed by Lively’s audiology leadership team, this hearing test uses pure tones to measure your hearing ability at specific frequencies. It’s not a diagnostic test that analyzes the overall health of your entire hearing system and cannot identify or diagnose acute ear or hearing conditions. Dr. Faivre noted that you can also upload an audiogram from an in-person test, which is more comprehensive. The online hearing test only tests four frequencies. “A typical hearing evaluation might also include uncomfortable listening levels (UCLs) and speech-in-noise testing, both tests considered part of best practices,” she said. “UCLs help us set the output limits on hearing aids so they never produce a sound that’s uncomfortable for someone.”
You’ll start the test by rating your hearing ability and answering some general questions.
The Lively hearing test gives you a better sense of your hearing loss and can be taken online with your computer or smartphone.
Lively’s online hearing test asks you general questions about your hearing. After answering those initial questions, you’ll be given a hearing test for each ear. During the test, you’ll listen to sounds at various frequencies. You’ll need headphones for this part of the test, so it can distinguish your hearing for each ear.
The Lively hearing test uses headphones to test both your right and left ears at four distinct frequency levels.
This quiz gives different frequency tests for both ears at levels of 500 hertz, 1,000 hertz, 2,000 hertz, and 4,000 hertz. You’ll be shown a series of circles (numbered 1–12) that change the volume of the pure tone sound. The goal is to find the lowest circle where you can still hear the tone. It’s an intuitive, easy-to-use test that worked well for us.
Lively (Now Jabra Enhance) App and Accessories
Lively offers several enhancement accessories, plus an easy-to-use hearing aid app for download on Apple or Google Play.
The Lively Connect App
Lively’s smartphone app is a favorite among customers for its user friendliness. With the app, your smartphone or other connected device becomes the “remote control” for your hearing aids. You can use the app to change volume or adjust the settings using one of four preset programs: all around, restaurant, outdoors, and music. Within each preset program you have the ability to further customize your hearing experience through quick one-touch adjustments, which include “filter noise,” “speech focus,” or “hear everyone.”
While Lively is now Jabra Enhance, you do not need to download a new app. Just update the current app if you don’t have automatic updates set.
The app is also how users receive adjustments remotely from Lively’s audiology team using the Lively Assist feature. Following a quick chat, Lively’s licensed hearing specialists can connect through the app and can make any necessary changes or fixes. When Lively says help is always available, they mean it—during our testing, we used Lively Assist to contact support and were connected with a representative in under 10 seconds.
“This app has a lot of functionality and options and is also easy to use. It’s one of my favorite apps for patients,” said Dr. Faivre.
Some additional app features include a sound enhancer to manually adjust your noise reduction and volume levels, bass and treble adjustment to enhance the quality of music, an alert for charging status and completion, and a tinnitus manager to play natural sounds or white noise to distract from ringing. Lastly, if you’ve misplaced your hearing aids, a map feature in the app is able to tell you their last known location.
Portable Charging Case
Lively 2 Plus and Pro hearing aids come with a charging case that we found easy to use during our testing. When we tested the Lively 2 Pro, we found the hearing aids easy to place in and remove from their designated charging ports.
The charging case has a light that lets you know that the hearing aids are charging and turns green when they’re fully charged. Like most hearing aid chargers, Lively comes with a USB-C cord that’s about 3.5 feet long, which is standard size.
The quick-charge feature sets the Lively charger apart from other hearing aid chargers. This feature charges the hearing aids to eight hours of battery life in 30 minutes. Of all the hearing aids we tested, the Lively 2 Pro was the only one to offer a Quick Charge feature. While the Quick Charge feature is more common with prescription hearing aids, it’s not in over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids like Lively.
Lively is owned by ReSound, one of the big traditional hearing aid manufacturers. A benefit of this is that Lively is more likely to stay in business, which means you should be able to get your device serviced when necessary.
MultiMic
For the added boost of a telecoil, which gives you the ability to connect to a hearing loop, you can include MultiMic in your package for an additional $275. MultiMic extends your hearing range by streaming sounds, including the human voice, directly to your hearing aids. MultiMic is a clip-on microphone that you can attach to your clothing. You can also discreetly place it somewhere nearby in your environment to pick up a broad range of nearby sounds.
MultiMic has a minijack you can connect directly to your car, computer, or tablet for enhanced hearing while streaming media. “It can also connect to an Android that doesn’t support direct streaming or a non-smart phone for streaming. It has a standard 3 millimeter jack, so you can connect it with other electronics, including airplane audio for video watching,” added Dr. Faivre.
Android Phone Clip
If you have an older Android, you may need to purchase the Android Phone Clip, which adapts your device to be compatible with Lively’s Bluetooth connectivity. For $199, this accessory will enable you to directly stream phone calls and media to your hearing aids from your device. Check the compatibility list to see if your device will require the accessory before purchasing.
TV Streamer
This $299 add-on lets you directly stream television and audio to your hearing aids from up to 22 feet away, allowing you to move around your home while still enjoying music or not missing important moments of your favorite shows. In addition, multiple sets of hearing aids can connect to one TV stream if multiple people in the household use Lively hearing aids, added Dr. Faivre.
Lively (Now Jabra Enhance) Hearing Aids Customization
The Lively audiology care team customizes your hearing aids to compensate for your level of hearing loss for high, mid, and low frequencies in each ear. Unlike other hearing aid brands like Kirkland (from Costco), Lively doesn’t lock its hearing aids, which disables them from being adjusted by anyone but the original seller. That means you can take them to an audiologist in person and have the devices adjusted with real ear measurements if you want to pay for that service.
Once you get your hearing aids home, the Lively Care Team will work with you on customization for various environments via Zoom training. Keep in mind that you will need a smartphone to use all models of Lively’s hearing aids, so they may not work for people who aren’t tech-savvy or who don’t like using smart devices.
The Lively Select app is your go-to tool for customizing your hearing aids to specific locations and situations. To do this you will swipe through icons in the app that allow you to change programs that match your listening environment.
Swipe cards to change programs to match your environment
These include settings for outdoor activities and indoor conversations. You can also personalize your settings to meet your specific listening needs.
Customer Reviews of Lively (Now Jabra Enhance)
Lively reviews have 4.33/5 stars on the Better Business Bureau, A+ Accreditation, and few complaints, although some customers mention experiencing a “hard sell” from the Lively sales team.
People who use Lively hearing aids review them with enthusiasm, and users report quick access to Lively’s care team. They also typically report high rates of satisfaction with the hearing aids themselves, stating that they’re comfortable and the sound quality is life-changing.
Lively Customer Support
Customer support is available seven days a week, Monday through Friday 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET and weekends 10 a.m.–5 p.m. ET, through the Lively app. You can also get in touch with the company by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800.854.2772.
When we called Lively’s support line, we found the team’s personnel to be easy-going, friendly, and informative in phone calls and messages. After taking the hearing assessment, our reviewer did get a lot of phone messages, but these were stopped upon request.
After purchasing hearing aids, you will have on-demand, unlimited access to an audiologist (based on who is licensed and available for your state) for virtual consultations and adjustments. This service is part of your bundle for three years.
Lively Hearing Aids (Now Jabra Enhance) Trial Period and Warranty
As we mentioned previously, one of our favorite features of Lively Hearing Aids is the fact that all models come with the same trial period and warranty coverage. Lively offers a generous 100-day trial period on all hearing aid purchases, promising a full refund with free shipping and no restock fees if you’re dissatisfied with your hearing aids for any reason.
Lively’s warranty and loss or damage coverage applies to hearing aids, the charging case, and accessories with varying terms. For all hearing aid models, the three-year warranty covers repair of any defective components or replacement if repair is not an option. Additional loss or damage coverage is also for a period of three years, offering replacement of lost or damaged hearing aids after the customer pays a $195 deductible per unit.
The charging case also comes with three-year warranty coverage for repair of any defective components or replacement if necessary, as well as one year of loss or damage protection after a $195 deductible. Repair or replacement of any defective accessories is covered by a one-year warranty, and eligible accessories include the phone clip, MultiMic, TV streamer, and remote control.
Although we often refer to Lively Hearing Aids as being “affordable,” hearing aids are a significant investment. With that said, it’s an investment that can impact your quality of life. Taking the step to treat hearing loss by pursuing hearing aids can restore your confidence, renew your interest in activities and hobbies, and even improve relationships that have become strained by hearing impairment.
In selecting which Lively (or any other brand) hearing aids are right for you, there are a few important points to consider:
Hearing goals: Of course the overall goal is to hear “better,” but what does that mean to you? For some people it means being able to engage in conversations with friends and family at home, and for others it means being able to go to the theater or concerts and hear clearly and comfortably. Your goals for hearing improvement will help to determine what technologies and features you need.
Lifestyle: Are you generally more active or more sedentary? Are you concerned about how visible your hearing aids will be while socializing? Do you often move between different environments in short periods of time, like from a quiet conversation to a noisy public place? Do you stay away from home for extended periods where a charger or batteries may not be accessible or practical? All of these questions will help to paint a picture of your overall lifestyle and narrow down what you really need in a hearing aid.
Tech knowledge: All of Lively’s hearing aid models require the use of their app through a smartphone or tablet, but other brands offer hearing aids that don’t require any smart devices. While Lively’s app (and other brands’ apps) are designed to be user-friendly across most demographics, if you know that you prefer not to use any smart devices or smart connectivity, it’s best to consider options that don’t require an app to function.
Dexterity: Modern hearing aids, even the “larger” models, are small. Their size is usually part of their appeal and helps them to be incredibly discreet, but it also makes them difficult to manipulate for people with fine motor difficulty in their hands and fingers. According to data published in the American Journal of Audiology, hearing aid batteries can be challenging to manage for people with dexterity issues. Besides simply putting them in and taking them out, the pieces you need to maintain are extremely small. Changing domes and wax filters can be frustrating for people with conditions like arthritis or decreased sensation, and these conditions may also be better suited for rechargeable hearing aid models to avoid replacing tiny batteries.
Budget: This consideration may be obvious but it’s still worth reiterating. Hearing aids are worth the cost, but you don’t have to break the bank to get a great pair with features to suit your needs. If you’re not ready or able to spend over $1,000 for a pair, there are significantly cheaper options available with simpler technology.
Bottom Line
Lively hearing aids are a direct-to-consumer option for anyone looking to treat mild-to-moderately severe hearing loss from the comfort of their home. They are accessible and affordable while offering competitive technology, along with excellent perks like an industry-leading trial period and three years of follow-up care with their audiology team. If you’re looking for quality hearing aids at competitive prices, Lively is worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lively hearing aids are registered with the FDA as hearing aids. They meet all the FDA’s requirements to be sold as hearing aids. They are not simple amplification devices (also known as PSAPs).
Lively only sells its own brand of hearing aids. You cannot buy other hearing aid brands at Lively.
According to users, Lively hearing aids are good options for people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. These hearing aids are high-quality, and the company gets high marks for customer service. According to Dr. Faivre, They don’t lock their hearing aids like some other brands. This means that if you do need in-person care at some point, a local hearing professional could help with programming adjustments or fixes.
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover Enhance Select hearing aids or any other hearing aids. If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan it may cover hearing aids, including Lively.
Lively hearing aids can last for many years, even as hearing aid technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Lively currently offers a three-year warranty that covers loss and damage to its devices. You will have to pay a $195 deductible per device, though. Additionally, a hearing aid may only be replaced once under this warranty.
Lively hearing aids will work best for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. For those with severe or profound hearing loss, other hearing aid options may work better.
Yes. Lively is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and currently has an average score of 4.33 out of 5 stars on the BBB website. Lively is based in New York and currently has over 100 employees listed on LinkedIn.
Enhance Select hearing aids are manufactured by ReSound, which is part of the GN Group and is located in Denmark.
Lively hearing aids use amplifiers to make sound waves louder for the user. That’s not all, though. They also use microphones and noise-canceling technology to make sounds easier to distinguish, as well as Bluetooth to connect to wireless devices.
Just like most hearing aids, Lively hearing aids can help treat tinnitus, which is a ringing sensation in the ears. Hearing aids can help fight tinnitus by making background sounds louder than the ringing noises.
With over six years of clinical experience in long term care and rehabilitation, Ayla is passionate about helping people age safely and with dignity. She is an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse), licensed with the State Board of Nursing in Massachusetts, and holds a B.A. in Psychology. Through her education and work she has focused on combining practical health knowledge with the individual needs and desires of older adults to bring the absolute best care and content to patients and readers.
Dr. Magann Faivre is an audiologist with a passion for being active in audiology organizations, particularly concerning advocacy, patients’ rights issues, and teaching student leadership. She intimately grew up around hearing loss and empathizes with patients when discussing their hearing journey. She is dedicated to creating a positive and integrative hearing healthcare experience so patients leave informed and confident. Dr. Magann Faivre currently serves on The Audiology Project’s Board of Directors and on Northern Illinois University’s Advisory Board. She is a longstanding fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
