Consider trying on these smart glasses if you are one of the 1.25 billion people who are thought to have mild to moderate hearing loss worldwide. Without the need for conventional in-ear hearing aids, these glasses use ingenious technology hidden in the frame to improve your hearing in noisy settings.

The glasses are from Nuance Audio, a recently launched brand owned by the giant eyewear company EssilorLuxottica. The company has now obtained FDA clearance and EU certificates that enable it to sell these spectacles over-the-counter in the US and Europe as early as the first quarter of this year, after showcasing the technology for more than a year, reports NewAtlas.

Here's all you need to know about the Nuance Audio glasses.

Hardware

With the help of 'beamforming' technology and microphones, these glasses record sound in the direction you're facing. You should be able to hear discussions in front of you more simply and clearly because this is sent amplified for your ears and delivered via air conduction speakers built into the frame.

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They can detect and enhance noises and speech up to nine feet (3 meters) away. According to Nuance Audio, the glasses are designed for audio output with "exceptionally low latency response," meaning that there is absolutely no delay when you hear speech in front of you.

Additionally, according to the company, the glasses weigh roughly the same as regular spectacles. They will come in two colors each and two styles (rounded and square).

The glasses are bundled with a wireless charging pad and a carrying case; you can also pick up a tiny remote control to quickly adjust volume and audio modes.

Because of its IPX4 rating, the wearable should withstand exposure to mild rain and vigorous exercise.

A full charge, which takes around three hours, should provide you roughly eight hours of continuous use. Your glasses can hold a charge for roughly six days when not in use.

According to Nuance Audio, the battery should last up to 1,000 cycles at 85% capacity after 500 cycles in the first year and a half before its capacity begins to decline.

App management

You may adjust the volume and sound modes of the glasses, as well as calibrate the audio output, using a companion smartphone app. To utilize the glasses, though, you don't need to carry your phone or the app with you.

It's worth noting that you don't need to take a hearing test to buy these. But if you're curious, Nuance Audio offers an online test to determine if this wearable is right for you.

Pricing and availability

These glasses would cost US$1,100, according to Eyes On, which reported on Nuance Audio during the American Academy of Optometry's 2024 annual meeting last November. However, we'll have to wait for the brand to formally confirm the price. Prescription hearing aids, for example, can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $4,000.

France, Germany, and the UK will follow after the US and Italy, where the deployment will commence in the first quarter of this year.