EssilorLuxottica’s OTC Nuance Audio Glasses have received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and the EU’s CE marking, allowing a US and European rollout from the start of this year. 

Designed to enhance speech clarity in noisy environments for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, the glasses use inbuilt directional microphones and the first FDA-cleared, preset Software as Medical Device in the US, said the company.  

Two years ago, Essilor set out to change the way people see and hear, said Francesco Milleri, chair and CEO of EssilorLuxottica. “We didn’t just aim to combine two medical devices – we created an entirely new smart glasses form factor to support the two human senses we depend on the most. We’re pleased now to turn our focus to getting this life-changing technology into the hands of people around the world who truly need it.”  

The frames come equipped with Transitions Gen S lenses and a wireless-charging pad, and will be available as a square shape (pictured) or panto in shiny black or shiny burgundy.