EssilorLuxottica Launches Nuance Audio Plus: FDA-Cleared Hearing Glasses with 10-Hour Battery

Key points

• The Nuance Audio Plus is FDA-cleared for use as a hearing aid and targets users with mild to moderate hearing loss.
• Battery life has been extended to up to 10 hours, with a sleep mode activated by folding the temple arms.
• New on-frame controls include a dedicated power slider and separate volume buttons, reducing reliance on a smartphone app.
• The glasses support hands-free voice call answering, but only when paired with an iPhone; Android support is not available.
• Pricing starts at $829 for the Plus model, while the original Nuance Audio remains available at $699.
• The product is available in three frame styles (Square, Pathos, Upturn) and five colors, with prescription lenses available for an additional cost.

Background

The launch of the Nuance Audio Plus follows a period of rapid distribution growth for the original Nuance Audio Glasses, which were named a TIME 100 Best Invention and expanded to 14 countries and over 18,000 stores within one year. This release coincides with broader industry trends in hearing technology, including Samsung's recent announcement of FDA-approved hearing aid support for select Galaxy Buds models and Apple's recent launch of AirPods 5 with enhanced noise cancellation. The market for smart glasses has faced challenges due to privacy concerns and high prices, but the Nuance Audio Plus aims to address accessibility needs without the intrusive features of camera-equipped competitors.

How outlets are covering it

The Verge emphasizes the technical upgrades, including improved sound boosting and new on-frame controls, while noting the iPhone-only limitation for call answering. Gizmodo highlights the product's discreet design and accessibility focus, contrasting it with the 'icky' perception of camera-equipped smart glasses, and notes the higher price point compared to Meta's Ray-Ban Gen 2. GovTech focuses on the accessibility angle, noting the high price and the lack of AI features as key differentiators. The Hearing Review provides detailed technical specifications, including beamforming technology and the availability of a separate remote control, and cites data on the global hearing loss population. All sources agree on the core features and pricing, but differ in their emphasis on the product's market positioning and technical details.

Why it matters

The Nuance Audio Plus represents a significant step in making hearing aids more accessible and less stigmatized by integrating them into a standard-glasses form factor. With an estimated 1.25 billion people worldwide living with mild to moderate hearing loss and 90% of that population not using a hearing solution, the product addresses a large unmet need. The improved battery life and on-frame controls enhance usability, while the FDA clearance ensures regulatory compliance. The product's success could influence the broader smart glasses market by demonstrating a viable use case that prioritizes accessibility over surveillance or AI features.

What to watch

The Nuance Audio Plus is available now in the US and online in selected countries. The original Nuance Audio model will remain available alongside the new Plus model. EssilorLuxottica has indicated continued investment in AI-powered hearing solutions, suggesting future updates may incorporate additional features. The company's expansion to 14 countries and 18,000 stores for the original model suggests potential for further global distribution of the Plus model.