EssilorLuxottica has launched Nuance Audio Plus in the U.S., the upgraded version of its hearing assistance glasses that debuted in April 2025. The glasses feature speakers built into the arms to amplify surrounding sounds, targeting adults with self-perceived mild to moderate hearing loss — no prescription or formal diagnosis required.

The biggest upgrade is a larger battery, enabling up to 8 hours of runtime and powering bigger, more capable speakers. The glasses also ditch the traditional power button in favor of a temple-arm open/close gesture to wake or sleep the device. Users can choose between a "frontal" mode that focuses on sounds in front of them or an "all-around" mode for full environmental awareness — handy for everything from noisy restaurants to carpools.

Key Takeaways:

• Battery life extends to up to 8 hours, enabling more powerful built-in speakers
• App control available on both iPhone and Android; iPhone users can also answer calls and listen to music
• No hearing loss diagnosis needed — patients can self-select based on perceived need
• Clinicians are encouraged to keep a demo kit in-office to show patients real-world use cases

Why it matters: Nuance Audio Plus lowers the barrier to hearing assistance by packaging the technology into familiar eyeglass frames — no stigma, no audiologist visit required. With two-thirds of original Nuance Audio buyers having never tried traditional hearing aids, this product is carving out a new, younger market for hearing support.