Hearing Glasses: Smart Glasses for Better Listening and Communication

Hearing aids are undergoing a major transformation, with innovations like over-the-counter (OTC) devices and hearables pushing the boundaries of what's possible in wearable technology—and even what hearing solutions look like. Nuance Audio™ Glasses—which have received FDA clearance as an OTC hearing aid—and Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) smart glasses with Conversation Focus (which are hearables, not OTC hearing aids) represent a new invisible hearing solution integrated into smart glasses. Both combine stylish, fashionable eyewear from optical giant EssilorLuxottica with AI-driven hearing aid amplification designed for adults (aged 18+ only) with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

In particular, the entrance of Nuance Audio creates a new Hearing Glasses product category within the OTC hearing aid market. With an integrated design that helps remove the stigma associated with traditional hearing aids, the new product class is positioned to compete with more conventional solutions like earbuds and OTC hearing solutions from tech giants like Apple, Bose, Jabra, Sennheiser, Sony, and Eargo.

The following article provides a detailed look at Hearing Glasses, including who should consider using them, key features to look for, and how they might compare with other OTC hearing aids on the market.

What Are Hearing Glasses?

Hearing Glasses combine the functionality of hearing amplification with prescription or non-prescription lenses. Their primary advantage is that you get the benefits of sophisticated amplification for your hearing needs—and people won’t be able to spot that you’re wearing a hearing aid. The “open ear” technology does not require anything to be placed in the ear canal. By embedding audio software technology directly into the glasses frame, hearing glasses provide users with an all-in-one solution that combines amplified sound with optical wear.

Unlike audio glasses designed for streaming music or making phone calls, Hearing Glasses focus specifically on improving speech understanding and environmental sounds for people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The technology is discrete, blending in seamlessly with the stylish glasses' design—an attractive alternative for those who feel self-conscious about wearing visible hearing aids.

Bone-conduction Glasses

Bone-conduction hearing glasses have been around for decades and work similarly to bone-conduction hearing aids, headbands, and implants by transmitting sound through the skull and cheekbones. In this way, they bypass the middle ear and directly stimulate the inner ear’s cochlea. Bone-conduction hearing aids are generally only useful for individuals with specific medical-related hearing loss, such as conductive hearing loss (e.g., otosclerosis) or single-sided deafness. Proper fit and placement are crucial for effective sound transmission with bone-conduction hearing glasses, and this can make them uncomfortable for receiving appropriate benefit. Similar to hearing glasses, bone-conduction hearing glasses offer the benefit of keeping the ear canal open, although both serve different hearing loss needs.

Who Should Get Hearing Glasses?

Like other OTC hearing aids, Nuance Audio hearing glasses are targeted at adults 18+ years old with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, especially those who want a discreet solution. They're ideal for consumers who prefer simplicity: an all-in-one rechargeable device that doesn’t add another gadget to their daily routine. People who already wear glasses may find this option especially appealing, as it eliminates the need to wear separate hearing aids.

Hearables like Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) are not OTC hearing aids and were not specifically designed to compensate for hearing loss. However, our partner test lab, HearAdvisor, has found these hearables do a solid job of providing at least some hearing help with its Conversation Focus feature, albeit not to the same level as Nuance Audio.

For some people, conventional hearing aid designs can be physically uncomfortable, and it takes some practice to get used to them. Earmolds and earbuds can cause discomfort. Similarly, pausing a conversation to put on a pair of consumer electronic earbuds or hearing aids can be more of a distraction and conversation stopper. By comparison, putting on a pair of Hearing Glasses whenever you want more amplification or speech clarity can be an easier and more discreet solution for situational hearing needs.

What excites people about Hearing Glasses is that they address many of the barriers to hearing aid adoption—stigma, simplicity, comfort, and affordability—while keeping the ear open and the hearing experience more natural. They're especially suitable for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss who might be reluctant to use traditional hearing aids, which are more visible and take some time to get used to.

“Hold on, I need to put on my eyes—and ears”

Have you ever been in this situation? You’re trying to read your bill at the conclusion of dinner in a dimly lit restaurant, prompting you to mutter, “Hold on, I need to put on my eyes” while reaching for your glasses. With the advent of Hearing Glasses, one can envision a day when this statement will substitute “ears” for “eyes” whenever better hearing is needed, as in a noisy restaurant, bar, work meeting, or family gathering.

We think most people will wear Hearing Glasses for a good portion of the day, provided their battery life supports longer hours of use. It’s true that people usually have an affinity for a particular style of glasses, and Hearing Glasses (at least at the outset of the product class) will necessarily have confined choices in terms of frame styles. This means they may be used more as situational devices, similar to how reading glasses or "cheaters” are currently used.

Key things to look for in Hearing Glasses

• Sound amplification technology: Look for advanced technology like AI software and beamforming technology that focuses on isolating speech in noisy environments. This can be a game-changer for those struggling with speech understanding background noise.
• Low latency: Acoustic latency is the delay between a sound being produced and when it’s heard through an audio device. An exceptionally low latency response enables you to hear instantly, without annoying delays or distortion, so you can stay in the moment.
• Battery life: Extended battery life is crucial for users who wear glasses throughout the day, and important but less crucial for situational users. A reliable, long-lasting battery will minimize the need for frequent charging.
• Apps and/or onboard controls: Higher-end OTC hearing solutions allow users to adjust volume, programs, and other features via an app, onboard buttons, or both. The Nuance Audio and Ray-Ban Meta apps are available in both iOS and Android, but be sure to check your phone for compatibility.
• Bluetooth streaming: This is the primary tradeoff between Nuance Audio, which is an OTC hearing aid offering good hearing benefit but does not offer audio, and Ray-Ban Meta, which offers less benefit for hearing help but does feature audio streaming.
• Prescription lenses: If you're already wearing prescription glasses, opt for models that can be fitted with your lenses, providing dual functionality.
• Comfort and fit: The glasses should fit well, both as eyewear and hearing aids. They promise an ergonomic design that leaves the ear canal open, ensuring comfort for long periods.
• Discreet design: One of the main advantages of hearing glasses is their subtlety and simplicity. Unlike traditional hearing aids, the technology is hidden within the frames, making them virtually invisible, so the aesthetics of the frame design may be a significant factor for you.

Hearing Glasses Products

As noted above, this is a brand-new product category, so at the moment, available options are limited.

Nuance Audio Glasses

Currently, the only hearing glasses that are truly OTC hearing aids are Nuance Audio Glasses by EssilorLuxottica. These glasses, which debuted at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), are designed to improve hearing with advanced audio technology built into a stylish, discreet frame. In HearAdvisor lab tests, Nuance Audio Glasses performed well above average on speech in quiet and above average on speech in noise, but scored below average on feedback (whistling).

They had an overall score of 4.1 (out of 5) and earned an "A" SoundGrade from our partner lab, HearAdvisor. However, limitations like shorter battery life and the lack of audio streaming are important to consider before making a purchase. When considering all product attributes (value/price, app, professional support, etc.), it received a 3.2/5 HearingTracker score, which is lower than many of the top-performing OTC hearing aids that have been lab-tested.

Reports from users and audiologist reviews on Nuance have been fairly positive, with the glasses performing surprisingly well in noisy environments and offering enhanced speech clarity. Some reviewers have reported minor issues with feedback and voice amplification, but overall, they have been impressed with these glasses' ability to improve communication in complex listening situations.

We think Nuance Audio technology could particularly benefit those on the "milder side" of mild-to-moderate hearing loss, as well as people with normal hearing who could benefit from a boost in speech understanding in loud or more complex environments, such as meetings and restaurants.

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) Smart Glasses

The first thing you should know about Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) smart glasses is that they are not OTC hearing aids and were not designed to compensate for hearing loss. However, with their 5-microphone directional array and Meta's inclusion of its AI-driven Conversation Focus feature, this product can be categorized as a "hearable,” which is a product that can enhance your hearing effectiveness.

Conversation Focus is an optional feature currently available through Meta’s Early Access Program, which users must enable in the Meta AI app. Once activated, it uses AI and the glasses’ microphone array to emphasize speech in front of the wearer while reducing surrounding background noise, with Off, Standard, and Boosted settings, plus adjustable volume.

Ray-Ban Meta also has a ton of cool AI features that include video recording, AI-assistance and voice commands, language translation, and more. How much this matters to you depends completely on personal preference.

At HearingTracker, of course, we’re primarily interested in how much hearing-related benefit you’ll receive from a given device. Ray-Ban Meta achieved a HearAdvisor SoundScore of 3.7 out of 5 and earned a “B” SoundGrade—which although lower than Nuance is still solid given that these are smart glasses (not hearing aids) and offer relatively limited audio customization. However, when considering all its other hearing-related features—particularly the additions of Bluetooth music and call streaming and the price/value—the overall HearingTracker score for Meta is 3.8/5, slightly higher than Nuance’s 3.2/5.

So, Should You Buy Nuance or Meta?

We think choosing between Nuance and Meta largely hinges on whether you want the hearing benefits and customization offered by Nuance, or the Bluetooth audio streaming and other cool AI features from Meta. We’ll note again that, although both products sit under the EssilorLuxottica umbrella, Ray-Ban Meta is the result of a collaboration between EssilorLuxottica and Meta, whereas Nuance Audio is EssilorLuxottica’s own hearing-glasses platform. Because it doesn't offer audio streaming or extra AI-driven features, Nuance Audio hearing glasses are also likely to give you longer battery life.

The table below compares objective lab data for the five key attributes tested by HearAdvisor for Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2, with Conversation Focus) and Nuance Audio.

Other Glasses-based Technologies for Improving Hearing and Communication

Glasses have a long history of improving communication. In fact, many people with hearing problems rely partially on their vision, becoming adept at lip-reading and “filling in the blanks” of words when in challenging listening environments.

Here are some glasses-related product types that exist now or are in the development pipeline.

1) Traditional Hearing Aid Glasses

Traditional hearing aid glasses have been around for decades, and unfortunately, they are what many Baby Boomers and older adults associate with hearing aids: clunky technology that whistles and features tubes and visible wires dangling off the end of the temple tips. The newer category of Hearing Glasses eliminates this design with fully integrated technology that doesn’t require earmolds or wires, but they may not be able to provide the same level of amplification for people with more severe hearing loss.

Although hearing aid glasses have been replaced mainly by behind-the-ear (BTE) and receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids that offer greater amplification options, there are a very limited number of manufacturers that still offer them. Frankly, it’s difficult to find good examples of modern hearing aid glasses, but here’s one:

• Bruckhoff Spectacle System [PDF]

2) Bone-Conduction Glasses

As noted above, bone conduction technology has been used in hearing aids and glasses for decades and continues to improve. It offers significant benefits for people with conductive and mixed hearing loss but is not typically recommended by audiologists for mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss due to reduced sound quality at higher frequencies and limited speech clarity in noisy environments. A key advantage of bone-conduction devices is that they leave the ear canal open, allowing users to utilize their residual hearing—making them popular among military personnel and first responders who work in extreme noise (e.g., jet pilots and firemen). Not many appear to be positioned as hearables for general daily use, although some are specially designed for joggers and cylists on the move. Here are some bone-conduction glasses that may function as hearables you can check out:

• Vocalskull
• Shokz Roadwave

3) Captioning Glasses

Captioning glasses, like those used in some theaters, display text in real time for people with hearing loss. They are very different from hearing glasses, which amplify sound rather than provide visual aids.

Augmented Reality (AR) captioning glasses can assist you in your everyday communications, meaning you no longer need to rely on speechreading to fill in any missing keywords in conversation; you simply pop on the captioning glasses and can “read” the conversion happening in your field of vision—just like watching television with captions. Increasingly, some are also offering language translation options.

Some examples:

• Meta Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses
• XRAI Glass
• Vuzix Smart Glasses
• Xander Captioning Glasses
• TranscribeGlass
• LEION Hey

4) Audio Glasses and Smart Glasses for streaming music, phone calls, and media

Audio glasses offer open-ear speakers for streaming music and video and receiving phone calls. However, unlike Hearing Glasses, they are not designed to help with hearing loss or communication in noisy environments. Audio frames and smart glasses can be great for people on the go or those who don’t want to bother with carrying around earbuds and a charging case. Some offer tap/swipe controls, hands-free calling, and even some directional listening advantages.

It’s interesting that several audio frame and smart glasses manufacturers have also produced OTC hearing aids, including Bose, JLab, and Ray-Ban (the latter being owned by Essilor-Luxottica, the same company that makes Nuance Audio Glasses).

Some examples:

• Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (Gen 1)
• Bose Frames
• JLab JBuds Frames

New Innovative Hearing Solutions

The introduction of Hearing Glasses—starting with EssilorLuxottica’s Nuance Audio Glasses—is an exciting development in the hearing industry. Offering discreet, stylish solutions for people with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss, these devices could revolutionize the way people think about hearing aids and amplification. We think this new product class may eventually be poised to compete with other OTC hearing aids like Apple's AirPods Pro 2 and hearables that advertise personalization and conversation enhancement.

At HearingTracker, we think that features like live-captioning incorporated into the lenses of glasses (e.g., see Meta Display) and Auracast may also significantly improve speech intelligibility and accessibility. As hearing technology continues to evolve, Hearing Glasses may become a go-to choice for people seeking an invisible, effective, comfortable, multi-functional solution to their hearing and vision needs.