I tried smart glasses with built-in hearing aids – and they worked surprisingly well at CES

Smart glasses are all the rage at CES 2025, and most provide some AI-powered assistant, translation service, or connection to your other personal gadgets. But these smart glasses from EssilorLuxxotica, named Nuance Audio, include hearing aids to help people improve both their hearing and vision at the same time.

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When I first heard of the Nuance Audio hearing glasses, I expected the microphones to reside on the glasses’ arms, which rest behind your ears. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised when I saw six microphones scattered across the frames, including above the lenses, to capture sound. Naturally, the speakers sit right above the ear to direct any amplified audio.

The EssilorLuxxotica demo booth is in one of the busiest convention halls at CES 2025, putting the glasses’ microphones to the test. You can have the microphones pick up direct conversation noises to help you focus on the person speaking before you or have them amplify all the noises around you.

I tested both mic modes and was surprised at how well they worked. Even when the Nuance Audio rep was behind me, I could hear him clearly over the crowd. The companion app has four microphone presets to adjust the microphones’ strength and includes power management, battery status, volume levels, and a noise tracking feature.

I spoke with Stefano Genco, global head of Nuance Audio, who said EssilorLuxxotica considered users who may not prefer using an app or may not be as tech-savvy. For those users, the hearing glasses have a multifunction button to cycle through audio modes. Additionally, taking the glasses off turns five of the six microphones off to conserve power, and folding the glasses’ arms turns them off.

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I found the universal compatibility thoughtful, considering the AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid feature announced last fall limited usage to iOS users with the premium AirPods model. Genco acknowledged that Apple’s feature opened the conversation about turning everyday products into over-the-counter hearing aids, but eventually, people may become wary of someone wearing AirPods during a conversation and question if they’re actively listening.

Asking that question then forces the wearer to disclose that they have a hearing impairment, which many people would prefer to keep private. With the Nuance Audio glasses, those questions should almost never arise.

The Nuance Audio hearing glasses have an eight-hour battery life, less depending on how strong the user sets the audio amplification. To charge them, you can fold the glasses and place them on a charging pad. A battery status light glows amber when the glasses are under 80% and green when they are over 80%.

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Genco also explained that even though these glasses will transform the hearing aid industry for those with hearing impairments, anyone can wear them. He explained that in loud environments, like the one we were conversing in, you use a lot of brain power to focus on the person speaking to you, contributing to mental fatigue. I concur; most of my CES experience was asking people to repeat themselves and intently focusing on their repeated words.

Thus, anyone looking to amplify their hearing should look into Nuance Audio. Like the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, consumers can purchase the Nuance Audio glasses and take them to LensCrafters or Pearle Vision to have the necessary lenses inserted. 

Hearing aids are a popular concept at this year’s CES, but most take an in-ear or traditional over-ear form factor. With EssilorLuxxotica, it’s clear to me that style and functionality are the priority, which is made possible by the company’s experience in the eyewear industry.

At launch, the Nuance Audio hearing glasses will come in two colors: Black and Burgundy. They’ll sport three styles, including two square frames, one thick, one thin, and one rounded frame. The Nuance Audio hearing glasses are pending FDA approval to classify them as over-the-counter hearing aids in the USA. Still, the company is hopeful they’ll receive the approval this year.