New York – September 29, 2026 -- EssilorLuxottica has launched Nuance Audio Plus, an upgraded version of its invisible hearing glasses, now available in the United States with a recommended retail price starting at $829 depending on lens configuration.
The glasses are FDA-cleared for mild to moderate hearing loss
Nuance Audio Plus is cleared for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss and builds on the original Nuance Audio Glasses, which debuted a year ago. The device combines vision correction and hearing support in a single frame, using open-ear speakers built into the temples so ears stay uncovered.
Users can now answer phone calls directly from the frames
A new feature lets wearers answer and manage voice calls hands-free when paired with a compatible iPhone running iOS 16 or later. The glasses also add on-frame controls, including a dedicated power switch and volume buttons on the temples, plus roughly 10 hours of battery life under average conditions.
Directional microphones aim to sharpen speech in noisy rooms
Directional amplification and beamforming technology are designed to help wearers focus on face-to-face conversations. The companion Nuance Audio App lets users switch between Frontal and All-Around audio modes, select preset amplification levels, adjust background noise reduction across three levels, and set volume on a scale of 1 to 5.
The frames come in three shapes and five colors
Nuance Audio Plus is offered in Square 53, Panthos 48 and Upturn 52 styles, in Shiny Black, Shiny Burgundy, Deep Blue, Amber and Olive Green. The standard package includes a charging pad and USB-C cable, and the frames accept any optical lens, including Transitions lenses that adjust to changing light.
The original glasses reached 18,000 stores in 14 countries within a year
According to Stefano Genco, Global Head of Nuance Audio, the first Nuance Audio Glasses reached consumers averaging five years younger than typical hearing-aid buyers, with two-thirds having never tried traditional hearing aids before. The original collection remains on sale alongside the new Plus line, sold through optical and hearing-care professionals and online in select countries.
The World Health Organization estimates 1.6 billion people worldwide live with hearing loss, with roughly 1.25 billion experiencing mild to moderate impairment. Research cited by the company indicates nearly 90% of that population has not adopted any hearing solution.