For the millions of Australians living with mild to moderate hearing loss, the discreet solution could very well be a new pair of glasses.
The Nuance Audio Glasses are a new open hearing device which has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
The Nuance Audio Glasses bring to the table the company’s advanced audio engineering and combine it with world-class eyewear from parent company EssilorLuxottica which is behind popular brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley.
The new glasses will make it possible for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss to now be able to engage in conversations and hear their surroundings even more clearly.
There are 5.86 million people living with mild to moderate hearing loss in Australia.
Hearing difficulties, especially in noisy environments, are among the most common and under-treated challenges among adults.
Even those with mild to moderate hearing loss may find it difficult to hear in complex acoustic scenarios, including restaurants, workplaces and other social gatherings.
And if it goes untreated, research has shown that it can be linked to social withdrawal, a reduction in the quality of life, social isolation and increased risk of depression and dementia.
Many Australians are reluctant to wear corrective hearing devices for a number of reasons including the social stigma, discomfort, and high cost.
The latest hearing aids can cost up to $12,000.
The Nuance Audio Glasses have been designed to address these barriers while still helping those with hearing difficulties with a solution that addresses vision and hearing at the same time.
Some versions of the Nuance Audio Glasses come with transition lenses but it is also possible for users to put their own prescription lenses into the frames.
Under the hood are two directional microphones, a noise reduction functionality, and open-ear speakers built into the arms of the frames.
Further to the on-device controls, there is also a companion app which allows users to dive deeper into the features for more granular control.
Tech Guide tried the new Nuance Audio Glasses at the product launch in Sydney and we were impressed with the result.
We were able to hear the person we were looking at quite clearly thanks to the precise directional microphones.
It was like the rest of the room was turned down and her voice had been amplified.
This would be a perfect solution for a dinner party or a board meeting where you’re trying to hear the person that’s talking to you.
It did a great job in what was quite a noisy environment.
In another mode it made it possible to hear in all directions.
The app also allows users to adjust the level of amplification required by each individual user.
The app also helps with the audio calibration and personalising the experience as well as providing firmware updates.
Outwardly the glasses look like any other regular pair of frames and no one will be able to pick that it’s actually a hearing device.
The Nuance Audio Glasses come with a USB-C charging cable and charging pad.
Australians are encouraged to get their hearing checked regularly including those who have already been diagnosed with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Nuance Audio Glasses are available now and can be purchased from glasses stores around Australia. You can find a store near you right here.
They start at $1200.
