EssilorLuxottica's second-generation Nuance Audio Plus hearing glasses are available in the US with a recommended starting price of $829, depending on the lenses. The company announced them on September 29 and claims about 10 hours of battery life under average product conditions. For buyers comparing smart glasses, the main addition is voice calls through the frames, with an iPhone requirement.
What changes with Plus
MIXED reports that Plus improves amplification, speech clarity in noise and how the wearer hears their own voice. Those are company claims. Its account includes no published performance tests or weight figure, so it gives buyers little basis to judge the size of the improvement over the first generation.
The glasses use open-ear hearing technology inside the frame. They are FDA-cleared for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. MIXED describes them as having no camera or assistant, which makes hearing support the reason to consider them alongside camera-equipped smart glasses.
The maker's product page specifies that voice calls require an iPhone running iOS 16 or later. Wearers double-tap to answer or end a call. The frames also have a power switch and buttons to adjust amplification volume across five levels.
Price depends on your lenses
US buyers can purchase through authorised optical and hearing-care professionals. The frames can take optical lenses for the wearer's prescription, including Transitions lenses. The $829 figure is a starting price, so the lens configuration matters to the final quote.
MIXED lists three frame styles, Square 53, Panthos 48 and Upturn 52, and five colours, Shiny Black, Shiny Burgundy, Deep Blue, Amber and Olive Green. The launch release says a charging pad and USB-C cable come in the standard package. The original Nuance Audio Glasses remain available.
