{"id":633477,"date":"2026-09-23T12:40:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T12:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/633477\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T12:40:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T12:40:07","slug":"essilor-unveils-next-gen-version-of-nuance-audio-smart-glasses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/633477\/","title":{"rendered":"Essilor unveils next-gen version of Nuance Audio smart glasses"},"content":{"rendered":"

EssilorLuxottica is introducing its next-generation<\/a> of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing assistance: Nuance Audio 2.0 Plus.<\/p>\n

This second iteration follows the advanced glasses\u2019 first iteration receiving FDA clearance<\/a> in 2025.<\/p>\n

Big news! But first: let\u2019s hear about the original Nuance Audio.<\/p>\n

Before that rundown, click here<\/a> for some background on why Essilor entered the hearing aid market.<\/p>\n

Now for the basics: Nuance Audio is a smart eyewear system consisting of hearing assistance (embedded in the frame) paired with a companion smartphone app.<\/p>\n

Intended users are adults 18+ with mild-to-moderate hearing loss in both ears or who struggle to follow speech in noisy settings.<\/p>\n

The tech is built into each frame: Nuance Hearing technology includes microphones that capture and amplify sound from the direction the wearer is facing, and is delivered through open-ear directional speakers that keep audio private to the wearer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The company describes the hardware as “completely invisible”<\/a> once embedded.<\/p>\n

Talk software.<\/p>\n

The eyewear system runs on Nuance Audio Hearing Aid Software, which Essilor says<\/a> is the first FDA-cleared, preset Software as a Medical Device (SaMD<\/a>) in the US.<\/p>\n

As for volume controls:<\/p>\n

A companion app to the frames enables setting adjustments<\/a> based on an environment, including 360\u00ba amplification.A pocket-sized remote<\/a> toggles amplification on\/off and switches audio modes\u2014but it’s sold separately<\/a> as an accessory.So what lens types fit in these frames?<\/p>\n

That would be plano Transitions Gen S<\/a> lenses\u2014gray tint on shiny black, emerald tint on shiny burgundy<\/a>\u2014which block 100% of UVA and UVB and fade back to clear in under 2o minutes.<\/p>\n

And how are they powered?<\/p>\n

Via a magnetic LED wireless charging pad and case (included). Full charge takes roughly 3 hours and provides (at a minimum) 8 hours of continuous use under average conditions.<\/p>\n

User tip: Essilor recommends<\/a> powering the frames down when amplification isn’t needed to extend runtime.<\/p>\n

Next up: this upgraded 2.0 version.<\/p>\n

Per the company, the newest iteration of Nuance Audio builds on the original frames by offering:<\/p>\n

Improved audio performanceExtended battery life (around 10 hours under average conditions)Expanded assortment of frame styles<\/p>\n

Plus, as a reported \u201ccategory-first,\u201d users can now answer and manage calls directly from the glasses when paired with a compatible (iOS 16 or later) iPhone.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get a closer look at these updates.<\/p>\n

While Nuance Audio Plus includes<\/a> the smart glasses\u2019 pre-existing open-ear technology, its \u201cinvisible hearing aid\u201d is equipped with enhanced amplification and \u201cown-voice perception.\u201d<\/p>\n

A note on that \u201copen-ear\u201d component: Designed for comfort, these lightweight speakers are integrated into the temples and are available in an expanded range of sizes (not to mention universal fitting and adjustable nose pads).<\/p>\n

Circle back to that enhanced amplification.<\/p>\n

Directional microphones and beamforming technology are designed<\/a> to enhance speech clarity in noisy environments to help users focus on the conversations in front of them.<\/p>\n

And users still use the companion app for controls, right?<\/p>\n

Correct. Through the app, they can adjust:<\/p>\n

Two optional audio modesFrontal (for face-to-face conversations)All-around (to amplify all surrounding sounds)Presets: enabling hearing customization by choosing between four pre-configured amplification settingsCustomizable background noise with three levels of noise reductionAdjustable volume level via five amplification scalesHow about lenses\u2014any changes there?<\/p>\n

Nope. Essilor noted<\/a> that the Plus frames can be fitted with \u201cany type of optical lenses\u201d\u2014including Transitions lenses\u2014to accommodate personalized user needs.<\/p>\n

What else is new?<\/p>\n

The Plus frames are available in three frame styles\u2014similar to the original<\/a>\u2014and five colors: shiny black, shiny burgundy, deep blue, amber, and olive green.<\/p>\n

And lastly: Is Nuance Audio Plus available yet?<\/p>\n

Per the company\u2014yes! The frames are reportedly now available in the United States (as well as online in select countries) via \u201cauthorized optical and hearing-care professionals\u201d as well as at Lens Crafters<\/a>. Demo requests here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And click here<\/a> to view a store locator.<\/p>\n

The recommended retail price will start at $829, depending on lens configuration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"EssilorLuxottica is introducing its next-generation of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing assistance: Nuance Audio 2.0 Plus. This second iteration follows…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":633478,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[61,60,80],"class_list":["post-633477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/633477","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=633477"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/633477\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/633478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=633477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=633477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=633477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}