"Despite the name, they lack nuance" I've got a hearing impairment, so I tried the high-tech Nuance Audio smart glasses to see if they really can help me hear better without the hassle of a hearing aid

03 May 2026, 08:00 by https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/kevin-lynch · TechRadar

TechRadar Verdict

From their ease of use and lightweight, stylish design, there’s so much I liked about the Nuance hearing glasses. Nevertheless, for the most part they feel like something of a missed opportunity, with their genuinely impactful directional sound capabilities somewhat overshadowed by a number of glaring shortcomings. While they didn't quite work for my situation, I'm nevertheless onboard with the concept, and with a few improvements, I like many others, would likely make the switch from in-ears to a pair of Nuance specs should Luxottica make an upgraded second gen set.

Pros

+Directional speakers can offer a better experience than standard in-ear hearing aids
+Stylish design
+No heavier than a regular set of glasses

Cons

-Feedback issues
-Battery doesn't last a full day
-Noticeable latency
-Built-in tech mean limited frame adjustment
-No support for audio streaming from mobile devices

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Nuance Audio Hearing Glasses: Two minute review

Excusing the pun, but there’s been something of a quiet revolution in the last few years for those seeking help with mild to moderate hearing loss. This is largely thanks to the rise of over-the-counter (OTC) devices that can now be bought directly ,without a prescription or a visit to an audiologist. The market has expanded significantly after legislation was introduced in the US back in 2022 allowing OTC devices to enter the market.

A wave of products have since become available around the world, which has in turn increased competition, lowered prices, and improved accessibility for folk who may never have considered, or may previously have been unable to afford, a hearing device.

As a tech writer with a hearing impairment (I have significant high-frequency loss in my left ear as a result of a viral infection in my early 20s), I’m fascinated by the recent developments and improvements in hearing aids, and I’ll be taking a look at some of the OTC options that have recently hit the market, starting with the Nuance Audio Hearing Glasses – a modern take on a form factor which appeared to have been somewhat forgotten about: glasses which integrate “invisible” hearing aids.

(Image credit: Future / Kevin Lynch)

Largely targeting those who were self-conscious about wearing visible devices, hearing glasses had some high-profile users – US President Lyndon B. Johnson and British comedian Eric Sykes both famously wore spectacles with hearing aids built into them – but as in-ear options became smaller thanks to improvements in transistor technology, hearing glasses became somewhat consigned to the past.

Fast forward to the present, and the concept of a hearing aid hiding in plain sight is back thanks to Luxottica, the Italian firm that owns Ray-Ban and makes designer glasses for the likes of Ralph Lauren and Dolce & Gabbana.

Prompted by the change in perception of wearing spectacles as a style statement and fashion accessory, alongside the success of Ray-Ban Metas which already have speakers built into the arms, Luxottica explored how glasses and the latest hearing tech could be used in a stylish spectacle frame.

The result is the Nuance Audio Hearing Glasses range – spectacles that can have prescription lenses fitted and which also include an “open-ear” hearing aid system. Within the frame is an array of six internal directional microphones, with sound played through micro-speakers in the arms above your ears.

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