Nuance Audio Glasses deliver “consistent benefits for users in everyday communication” according to clinical findings from two studies evaluating their performance.
EssilorLuxottica markets its revolutionary glasses as an open-ear hearing solution built into smart eyewear intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.
“One insight stands out across both studies: users prefer to wear Nuance Audio Glasses in the real, noisy conversations that matter most to them,” said Dr Tami Harel, chief of audiology of Nuance Audio, EssilorLuxottica.
“These results mark an important achievement in terms of the post-market clinical validation of the product for early-stage hearing support.”
Dr Harel presented a session on clinical efficacy of open-ear hearing aid glasses at the 69th EUHA (European Union of Hearing Aid Acousticians) Congress in Germany. She shared outcomes from studies conducted at the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), Australia, and Western University Canada.
Collectively, they evaluated controlled laboratory performance and real-world listening experiences, demonstrating consistent benefits for users in everyday communication, she said.
The NAL study assessed laboratory performance and short supervised real-world use. Researchers found a 3.48 dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a clinically meaningful gain in speech-in-noise performance, and 70% of participants reported improved communication ability after only three hours of real-world use.
Participants’ top communication goals were met in 84%–95% of cases, and participants preferred using the glasses more as the acoustic environment became more challenging.
“Together, the findings show a coherent trajectory, from measurable acoustic improvements in controlled laboratory conditions, to meaningful real-world communication benefits, and ultimately to a clear user preference for Nuance Audio Glasses in more challenging listening environments,” the NAL team said.
The Canadian study evaluated the glasses in controlled yet realistic noise conditions, designed to simulate daily listening environments. Results demonstrated up to 29% improvement in speech understanding in challenging acoustic conditions, and significant reduction in listening effort measured through standardised rating scales.
The researchers said these outcomes highlighted Nuance’s potential to support improved communication performance in noisy listening environments.
“These new clinical findings represent an important milestone for EssilorLuxottica,” said Mr Stefano Genco, Global Head of Nuance Audio, EssilorLuxottica.
“Results from the two studies validate our vision of integrating advanced open-ear hearing technology into smart eyewear, addressed to an estimated 1.25 billion worldwide affected by mild to moderate hearing loss.
“Presenting these results for the first time at the EUHA Congress confirms our commitment to scientific rigor and innovation. We are proud to advance solutions that are not only clinically proven but also designed to seamlessly.
EssilorLuxottica released the details in a media release on 15 January 2025.
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