Nuance Audio

The glasses are available for purchase from the manufacturer's online store and in specialized stores across Europe.

Nuance Audio – hearing aids

Nuance Audio is a solution from a company belonging to the EssilorLuxottica group, combining the functionality of traditional glasses with an electronic hearing aid system. The device is designed primarily for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, particularly those who have difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments.

In the European Union, Nuance Audio Glasses are classified as a medical device, and the manufacturer declares compliance with, among other regulations, the MDR (EU) 2017/745 concerning medical devices and the RED Directive 2014/53/EU. In the US market, the product is marketed as an OTC (over-the-counter) hearing aid, meaning it is intended for purchase without a prescription for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

How Nuance Audio Works

Integrated into the earpieces are:

six microphones for picking up ambient sounds,
two open-ear speakers placed near the ears,
a digital signal processing system,
a rechargeable battery,
a Bluetooth Low Energy module,
controls.

The system operates using air conduction technology. It does not rely on bone conduction. Sound is emitted through speakers located in the frames, close to the ears, but without the need to insert the element into the ear canal.

One of its main functions is directional speech amplification, which utilizes a microphone array and beamforming. The user can direct the system's attention primarily to the person in front of them, reducing the impact of sounds coming from other directions.

Two main operating modes are available:

Frontal – primarily amplifies sounds coming from the direction the user is looking. This is intended for conversations in restaurants, offices, or other noisy environments, for example.

All-around – amplifies sounds from the entire surrounding area, without directional focus on the area in front of the user.

Available Models

The current Nuance Audio family includes two frame shapes, but three basic size variants:

Nuance Audio Panthos 48 / 48 mm / 22 mm bridge width, a more rounded frame
Nuance Audio Square 54 / 54 mm / 18 mm bridge width, a smaller version of the rectangular frame
Nuance Audio Square 56 / 56 mm / 18 mm bridge width, a larger version of the rectangular frame

The manufacturer considers Panthos and Square to be two stylistic lines, while Square comes in two sizes. The electronics and basic hearing features are essentially the same across the family.

Three basic colors are available:

Shiny Black,
Shiny Burgundy,
Deep Blue.

Lenses

The frames can be equipped with prescription lenses. The manufacturer also offers:

Transitions® Gen S lenses that respond to light intensity,

lenses with blue-violet light filtration,

versions without vision correction.

This allows you to combine traditional prescription glasses with a hearing system in one device.

Software Required for Operation:
Nuance Audio App

The basic software is the free Nuance Audio App, available for iOS and Android smartphones.

The app is required for initial device setup, calibration, and firmware updates. The manufacturer also requires a mobile phone and email address during the setup process.

Currently stated system requirements are:

Apple iPhone – iOS 16.6.1 or later,
Android – Android 12 or later.

Connection between the smartphone and the glasses uses Bluetooth Low Energy – BLE.

App Features

The app allows, among other things, for: You can:

calibrate the glasses,
select one of four hearing presets,
adjust the volume,
adjust the background noise level,
select Frontal/All-around mode,
adjust the way your own voice is perceived,
check the battery charge level,
update the device's firmware.

The app doesn't need to be open constantly during normal use. Basic functions can also be controlled directly from the frame. The button on the right temple allows you to adjust the volume, among other things, and double-tapping the touchscreen allows you to switch between Frontal and All-around modes. However, the app remains required for calibration and device software updates.

Optional Nuance Audio Remote Control

A separate remote control is also available, which can replace your phone for some basic operations.

The remote allows you to adjust:

volume,
Frontal mode,
All-around mode.

It communicates with the glasses via Bluetooth and uses a replaceable CR2450 battery. It is an optional accessory.

Operation time and charging

The manufacturer claims up to approximately 8 hours of operation on a single charge under typical conditions.

Actual operating time depends on the environment and settings:

approximately 5.5–7 hours in a very noisy environment at high amplification,
approximately 7–8 hours at moderate noise,
up to 8 hours in a quiet environment at lower amplification.

The glasses are charged wirelessly using the included Nuance Audio Charging Pad.

The standard kit includes:

Nuance Audio glasses,
Charging Pad,
USB-C cable,
folding case,
cleaning cloth,
documentation.