Smart glasses that double as hearing aids could help break the stigma that still exists – but they’re only part of the solution
A new pair of glasses from Italian eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica is making waves for combining sleek design with discreet hearing support. Nuance Audio, a prescription-free hearing aid embedded in a stylish spectacle frame, will be available over the counter in Italy later this year – with plans to expand into the rest of Europe and the U.S.
The launch has been widely covered in Italian media, not just for the technology itself but for its cultural resonance. Some have compared it to the comedic acoustic eyewear seen in the 1960 Sergio Corbucci film Chi si ferma è perduto, where a character’s hearing difficulties become a running gag.
The contrast between that portrayal and today’s tech underscores how far hearing assistance has come, whilst also reminding us just how much attitudes still need to change.
Technology meets style – without the stigma
The glasses, which weigh just 43 grams, house tiny speakers in the arms alongside microphones and sensors that enhance speech recognition. Users will be able to wear them like any regular pair of specs, with no visible sign that they offer hearing support.
At Hearology®, which provides hearing tests, microsuction ear wax removal and hearing aid fittings amongst a variety of other products and services, the development is seen as a potentially important step forward – especially for people who are reluctant to seek help.
“These glasses have real potential to get more people engaging with hearing support,” said Micaela Stonestreet, a Hearology® specialist. “They’re not cheap, and they won’t be suitable for more than mild hearing loss. But the fact that they’re stylish and over the counter could help remove vanity as a silent objection to hearing aids.”
Part of the solution – not a replacement
Like Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, which now offers hearing assistance features in iOS 18.3, Nuance Audio glasses won’t require a prescription or a visit to an audiologist. For some people, that ease of access will be enough to prompt them to try hearing enhancement for the first time – and that in itself could be a turning point.
“These kinds of products give people an idea of what they’re missing,” said Stonestreet. “And if that prompts them to take the next step – to get a proper hearing test and explore professionally fitted hearing aids – then that’s a big win.”
For moderate or severe hearing loss, however, these glasses won’t be sufficient. Clinical support, customised programming and regular aftercare remain the gold standard – whether accessed privately or via the NHS.
References
- A Cold Wind in August - Provides information about the 1960 film 'Chi si ferma è perduto,' which is referenced in the article as a cultural connection to the Nuance Audio glasses.
- EssilorLuxottica Gains FDA Clearance - Confirms that Nuance Audio glasses have received FDA clearance and are set to launch in the U.S. and Europe, aligning with the planned distribution mentioned in the article.
- EssilorLuxottica Introduces Nuance Audio Glasses with Built-In Hearing Aids - Supports the claim that EssilorLuxottica has developed Nuance Audio glasses, which integrate hearing aids into stylish eyeglass frames, enhancing both vision and sound.
