<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><base href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-tried-smart-glasses-with-built-in-hearing-aids-and-they-worked-surprisingly-well-at-ces/"><style id="print"></style><title>I tried smart glasses with built-in hearing aids - and they worked surprisingly well at CES | ZDNET</title><div class="original-url">Hi all. I found this article today. I have no further information than what is given below. </div><div class="original-url">I'm sure these will never be designed for those with profound hearing loss, but for those of you with mild and moderate, and for nerds like myself who enjoy reading this sort of thing, see below.<br><a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-tried-smart-glasses-with-built-in-hearing-aids-and-they-worked-surprisingly-well-at-ces/">https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-tried-smart-glasses-with-built-in-hearing-aids-and-they-worked-surprisingly-well-at-ces/</a><br><br></div><div id="article" role="article" style="-webkit-locale: "en"; left: 0px; z-index: 2; position: static; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" class="system exported">
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<div class="page" style="text-align: start; overflow-wrap: break-word; max-width: 100%;"><h1 class="title" style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.95552em; line-height: 1.2141em; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: start; hyphens: manual; display: block; max-width: 100%;">I tried smart glasses with built-in hearing aids - and they worked surprisingly well at CES</h1><div id="innerAssistantContainer" showedsummary="true" style="display: block; opacity: 1; max-width: 100%;"><p style="height: 0px; width: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%;"></p><button class="collapsible expandedContent" id="summary-collapsible" style="display: block; max-width: 100%;"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 -7.5 30 30" style="max-width: 100%;"><g style="max-width: 100%;"><path d="M7.34375 19.6293L16.5723 19.6293L16.5723 21.6215C16.5723 22.4222 17.3438 22.6859 17.9883 22.2269L21.7676 19.5316C22.2852 19.1605 22.2754 18.4183 21.7676 18.0472L17.9883 15.3129C17.3047 14.8148 16.5723 15.1078 16.5723 15.9281L16.5723 17.8812L7.34375 17.8812C3.68164 17.8812 1.74805 15.9281 1.74805 12.4418L1.74805 3.63318C1.74805 3.15466 1.35742 2.75427 0.869141 2.75427C0.390625 2.75427 0 3.15466 0 3.63318L0 12.4222C0 17.0414 2.55859 19.6293 7.34375 19.6293Z" fill="var(--body-font-color)" style="max-width: 100%;"></path><path d="M6.46484 4.3363L17.6172 4.3363C18.0566 4.3363 18.3984 3.98474 18.3984 3.54529C18.3984 3.10584 18.0566 2.76404 17.6172 2.76404L6.46484 2.76404C6.02539 2.76404 5.67383 3.10584 5.67383 3.54529C5.67383 3.98474 6.02539 4.3363 6.46484 4.3363ZM6.46484 9.14099L17.6172 9.14099C18.0566 9.14099 18.3984 8.7992 18.3984 8.35974C18.3984 7.92029 18.0566 7.56873 17.6172 7.56873L6.46484 7.56873C6.02539 7.56873 5.67383 7.92029 5.67383 8.35974C5.67383 8.7992 6.02539 9.14099 6.46484 9.14099ZM6.46484 13.9554L12.627 13.9554C13.0664 13.9554 13.4082 13.6039 13.4082 13.1644C13.4082 12.725 13.0664 12.3832 12.627 12.3832L6.46484 12.3832C6.02539 12.3832 5.67383 12.725 5.67383 13.1644C5.67383 13.6039 6.02539 13.9554 6.46484 13.9554Z" fill="var(--body-font-color)" style="max-width: 100%;"></path></g></svg> Summary</button><div class="shimmer-container collapsedContent" id="summary-collapsedContent" style="display: block; max-height: 458px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; max-width: 100%;"><p id="summary-collapsible-text-id-1" style="max-width: 100%;">EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban and Oakley, is entering the over-the-counter hearing aid market with Nuance Audio smart glasses. These glasses feature six microphones strategically placed around the frames to capture sound, and a companion app offers various audio modes and settings. The Nuance Audio glasses aim to provide a stylish and discreet solution for hearing amplification, catering to both those with hearing impairments and anyone seeking to enhance their hearing in noisy environments.</p></div><p style="height: 0px; width: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%;"></p></div><p style="height: 0px; width: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%;"></p><p style="height: 0px; width: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%;"></p><h2 class="subhead" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: start; hyphens: manual; display: block; color: rgba(27, 27, 27, 0.65); font-size: 1.46664em; margin-top: -0.35em; line-height: 1.27275em; max-width: 100%;">EssilorLuxottica, the holding company behind eyewear brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Foster Grant, is entering the over-the-counter hearing aid industry with Nuance Audio.</h2><div class="metadata singleline" style="text-align: start; hyphens: manual; display: block; margin-bottom: 1.45em; margin-top: -0.7em; max-width: 100%;"><time class="date" style="margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; font-size: 1em !important; font-weight: normal !important; font-style: normal !important; display: inline !important;">Jan. 8, 2025 at 6:58 p.m. PT</time></div><figure style="max-width: 100%; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 1.5em; font-family: -apple-system-font; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65); margin: 0px;"><div style="max-width: 100%;"><div style="max-width: 100%;"><picture style="max-width: 100%;"><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/e82a0f58467a0e48bdeee66200edf85996dae87b/2025/01/09/536b2127-e1e9-4816-8c6c-e01945d6d816/nuance5.jpg?auto=webp&precrop=1804,1013,x21,y0&width=768" alt="Nuance Audio hearing glasses in Burgundy" src="" style="max-width: 100%;" data-unique-identifier=""><source media="(max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/24c24501a4587ea00b3a7cbd77b4ae9d50f4619a/2025/01/09/536b2127-e1e9-4816-8c6c-e01945d6d816/nuance5.jpg?auto=webp&precrop=1804,1013,x21,y0&width=1024" alt="Nuance Audio hearing glasses in Burgundy" src="" style="max-width: 100%;" data-unique-identifier=""><source media="(max-width: 1440px)" srcset="https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/62d751a8de18a833f5d2ce5c6325f1b8e012d623/2025/01/09/536b2127-e1e9-4816-8c6c-e01945d6d816/nuance5.jpg?auto=webp&precrop=1804,1013,x21,y0&width=1280" alt="Nuance Audio hearing glasses in Burgundy" src="" style="max-width: 100%;" data-unique-identifier=""><img src="https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/62d751a8de18a833f5d2ce5c6325f1b8e012d623/2025/01/09/536b2127-e1e9-4816-8c6c-e01945d6d816/nuance5.jpg?auto=webp&precrop=1804,1013,x21,y0&width=1280" alt="Nuance Audio hearing glasses in Burgundy" width="1280" height="718.7583148558758" fetchpriority="low" class="" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0.5em auto; display: block; height: auto;" data-unique-identifier=""> </picture></div> <div style="max-width: 100%;"><a style="text-decoration: none; max-width: 100%;"></a> <!----></div></div> <figcaption style="max-width: 100%; margin-top: 0.8em; width: 100%; font-size: 0.75rem; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);"> <span style="max-width: 100%; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em;">Jada Jones/ZDNET</span></figcaption></figure><p style="max-width: 100%;"><a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/ces-2025-the-7-most-advanced-smart-glasses-we-tried-on-and-loved/" style="color: rgb(65, 110, 210); max-width: 100%; text-decoration: underline;">Smart glasses</a> are all the rage at <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/ces-2025-zdnet-best-products-2025-01-08/" style="color: rgb(65, 110, 210); max-width: 100%; text-decoration: underline;">CES 2025</a>, and most provide some AI-powered assistant, translation service, or connection to your other personal gadgets. But these smart glasses from EssilorLuxottica, named Nuance Audio, include hearing aids to help people improve both their hearing and vision at the same time.</p><p style="max-width: 100%;"><strong style="max-width: 100%;">Also: <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/ces-2025-zdnet-best-products-2025-01-09/" style="color: rgb(65, 110, 210); max-width: 100%; text-decoration: underline;">CES 2025: The 17 most impressive products you don't want to miss</a></strong></p><p style="max-width: 100%;">When I first heard of the Nuance Audio hearing glasses, I expected the microphones to reside on the glasses' arms, which rest behind your ears. That's why I was pleasantly surprised when I saw six microphones scattered across the frames, including above the lenses, to capture sound. Naturally, the speakers sit right above the ear to direct any amplified audio.</p><p style="max-width: 100%;">The EssilorLuxottica demo booth is in one of the busiest convention halls at CES 2025, putting the glasses' microphones to the test. You can have the microphones pick up direct conversation noises to help you focus on the person speaking before you or have them amplify <em style="max-width: 100%;">all</em> the noises around you.</p><p style="max-width: 100%;"><strong style="max-width: 100%;">Also: <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-best-of-ces-2025-awards-are-in-as-selected-by-zdnet-and-the-rest-of-cnet-group/" style="color: rgb(65, 110, 210); max-width: 100%; text-decoration: underline;">The Best of CES 2025 awards are in, as selected by ZDNET and the rest of CNET Group</a></strong></p><p style="max-width: 100%;">I tested both mic modes and was surprised at how well they worked. Even when the Nuance Audio rep was behind me, I could hear him clearly over the crowd. The companion app has four microphone presets to adjust the microphones' strength and includes power management, battery status, volume levels, and a noise tracking feature.</p><figure style="max-width: 100%; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 1.5em; font-family: -apple-system-font; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65); margin: 0px;"><div style="max-width: 100%;"><div style="max-width: 100%;"><picture style="max-width: 100%;"><!----> </picture></div> <div style="max-width: 100%;"><a style="text-decoration: none; max-width: 100%;"></a> <!----></div></div> <figcaption style="max-width: 100%; margin-top: 0.8em; width: 100%; font-size: 0.75rem; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);"><div style="max-width: 100%; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em;"><div style="max-width: 100%;"><p style="max-width: 100%; margin-top: 0.4em; margin-bottom: 0.4em;">Three of the six microphones in the Nuance Audio hearing glasses. Can you spot them all?</p></div></div> <span style="max-width: 100%; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em;">Jada Jones/ZDNET</span></figcaption></figure><p style="max-width: 100%;">I spoke with Stefano Genco, global head of Nuance Audio, who said EssilorLuxottica considered users who may not prefer using an app or may not be as tech-savvy. For those users, the hearing glasses have a multifunction button to cycle through audio modes. Additionally, taking the glasses off turns five of the six microphones off to conserve power, and folding the glasses' arms turns them off.</p><p style="max-width: 100%;"><strong style="max-width: 100%;">Also: <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/ces-2025-the-7-most-advanced-smart-glasses-we-tried-on-and-loved/" style="color: rgb(65, 110, 210); max-width: 100%; text-decoration: underline;">CES 2025: The 7 most advanced smart glasses we tried on - and loved</a></strong></p><p style="max-width: 100%;">I found the universal compatibility thoughtful, considering the <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/turn-your-airpods-pro-2-into-hearing-aids-testing-and-tracking-hearing-health-in-ios-18-1/" style="color: rgb(65, 110, 210); max-width: 100%; text-decoration: underline;">AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid feature</a> announced last fall limited usage to iOS users with the premium AirPods model. Genco acknowledged that Apple's feature opened the conversation about turning everyday products into over-the-counter hearing aids, but eventually, people may become wary of someone wearing AirPods during a conversation and question if they're actively listening.</p><p style="max-width: 100%;">Asking that question then forces the wearer to disclose that they have a hearing impairment, which many people would prefer to keep private. With the Nuance Audio glasses, those questions should almost never arise.</p><p style="max-width: 100%;">The Nuance Audio hearing glasses have an eight-hour battery life, less depending on how strong the user sets the audio amplification. To charge them, you can fold the glasses and place them on a charging pad. A battery status light glows amber when the glasses are under 80% and green when they are over 80%.</p><p style="max-width: 100%;"><strong style="max-width: 100%;">Also: <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/home-entertainment/the-best-audio-gear-of-ces-2025/" style="color: rgb(65, 110, 210); max-width: 100%; text-decoration: underline;">The best audio gear of CES 2025: Headphones, sound systems, and turntables to watch</a></strong></p><p style="max-width: 100%;">Genco also explained that even though these glasses will transform the hearing aid industry for those with hearing impairments, anyone can wear them. He explained that in loud environments, like the one we were conversing in, you use a lot of brain power to focus on the person speaking to you, contributing to mental fatigue. I concur; most of my CES experience was asking people to repeat themselves and intently focusing on their repeated words.</p><p style="max-width: 100%;">Thus, anyone looking to amplify their hearing should look into Nuance Audio. Like the <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/meta-ray-ban-smart-glasses-review/" style="color: rgb(65, 110, 210); max-width: 100%; text-decoration: underline;">Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses</a>, consumers can purchase the Nuance Audio glasses and take them to LensCrafters or Pearle Vision to have the necessary lenses inserted. </p><figure style="max-width: 100%; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 1.5em; font-family: -apple-system-font; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65); margin: 0px;"><div style="max-width: 100%;"><div style="max-width: 100%;"><picture style="max-width: 100%;"><!----> </picture></div> <div style="max-width: 100%;"><a style="text-decoration: none; max-width: 100%;"></a> <!----></div></div> <figcaption style="max-width: 100%; margin-top: 0.8em; width: 100%; font-size: 0.75rem; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);"> <span style="max-width: 100%; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em;">Jada Jones/ZDNET</span></figcaption></figure><p style="max-width: 100%;">Hearing aids are a popular concept at this year's CES, but most take an in-ear or traditional over-ear form factor. With EssilorLuxottica, it's clear to me that style and functionality are the priority, which is made possible by the company's experience in the eyewear industry.</p><p style="max-width: 100%;">At launch, the Nuance Audio hearing glasses will come in two colors: Black and Burgundy. They'll sport three styles, including two square frames, one thick, one thin, and one rounded frame. The Nuance Audio hearing glasses are pending FDA approval to classify them as over-the-counter hearing aids in the USA. Still, the company is hopeful they'll receive the approval this year. </p></div></div></div><br id="lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature"><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPhone</div></body></html>