By: Nuance Audio Glasses
April 7, 2025
By Lauren Fereday, OD, MS, Director Medical and Professional Affairs, EssilorLuxottica North America
As optometrists, our primary focus is understandably on the sense of sight. We dedicate years of study to help our patients achieve the best vision possible, knowing that it plays a crucial role in allowing them to live life to the fullest. But what if we could do even more? What if there was another sense we could assist with—one that would further enhance a patient’s quality of life?
Hearing is often not top of mind in our field, yet approximately 73 million people in the U.S. are affected by hearing loss—that’s about 22% of the population. Of those, around 90% experience mild to moderate hearing loss. As you read these statistics, you might already think of individuals in your life who fit this description. How many times have you walked into a room where the TV was blaring, yet the person didn’t realize how loud it was? Or perhaps you’ve found yourself raising your voice in conversation while the other person insists you’re speaking just fine? I know I can relate—I’m married to someone who falls into that category!
Now, though, is an exciting time in healthcare. Thanks to innovations like Nuance Audio Glasses, we have the opportunity to offer a solution that supports both vision and mild to moderate hearing loss. Nuance Audio Glasses, launched earlier this year in the U.S., feature discreet speakers embedded in the temple arms of glasses, delivering sound directly into the ear canal while still allowing the wearer to hear ambient sounds naturally. And with a price point significantly lower than traditional hearing aids, it’s a solution that patients will truly appreciate.
You might be wondering— Do Nuance Audio Glasses really work as well as traditional hearing aids for mild-to-moderate hearing loss? The answer is yes, in fact, they can often outperform them. The Nuance Audio Hearing Aid Software outperformed published norms for prescription hearing aids in five of the seven International Outcomes Inventory (IOI) categories, matching the performance of prescription hearing aids in the other two. Nuance Audio Glasses improve speech clarity by up to 44% in noisy environments in the beamforming focal mode. This advancement not only improves the quality of everyday interactions for users but also significantly reduces listening effort, making communication smoother and more effortless. With enhanced clarity and effortless communication, users can fully engage in every moment—staying connected to both the sights and sounds that matter most.*
For more details about Nuance Audio Glasses and to explore the technology in-depth, be sure to check out the peer-reviewed article (bit.ly/43rJEr9). If you have questions or would like to discuss how this innovation could fit into your practice, don’t hesitate to reach out to your EssilorLuxottica Business Consultant or visit https://bit.ly/40YT8J3.
*Source: Harel-Arbeli T, Beck DL. An Over-The-Counter (OTC) hearing aid option for people with self-perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Nuance Audio TM Hearing Aid Glasses. J Otolaryngol ENT Res. DOI: 10.15406/joentr.2025.17.00557
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Nuance Audio Glasses
Counting on EssilorLuxottica’s 60+ years of eyewear excellence, Nuance Audio Glasses combine sound engineering and world-class smart eyewear design for a stylish, high-tech solution engineered to transform lives.
