Priya Carling, Director and Consultant Audiologist, Kent Hearing Ltd, UK; Section Editor, ENT & Audiology News.
In June, EssilorLuxottica launched a new, invisible, open-ear hearing solution for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss called ‘Nuance Audio Glasses’. This event was held in September to showcase the product and its ongoing development and success stories.
It was held in the unique ‘Frameless London’ venue, which is an immersive venue, and so very fitting for those attending to have a hands-on immersive experience and demonstration of the product. The evening kicked off with cocktails and creative canapés, and a chance to meet more of the Nuance team from all over the UK and elsewhere in Europe. From an audiology perspective, it was a different experience to be talking all things hearing with mainly those from the optical field and clinics.
A panel discussion featured a special guest Martin Kemp (above), who is an Ambassador for the Nuance glasses. He shared his experiences with hearing loss and hinted at the reluctance to embrace conventional hearing aids. For him, these glasses are now a helpful part of his life, and he expressed his satisfaction with the product, which he uses for certain situations.
For those that are new to the product, Nuance Audio Glasses is an over-the-counter hearing solution for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss in the form of eyewear. They use directional microphones and open-ear speakers, which are located on the frame and can be modified to have prescription lenses for those who already wear glasses. They come in two styles and two colours and do not require a clinician to set them up. This is done directly by the user via an app.
Following the panel discussion there was an opportunity to try out the glasses and watch the demonstrations, followed by some music in the form of live jazz in one of the immersive rooms. It was an enjoyable event and it will be interesting to see the product develop further (there was a promise of expanding into more products for more severe hearing loss) and to have our own first-hand experiences in clinics that will be stocking Nuance.
Photos from top: Jazz within 'Frameless London'; musician, actor and Nuance Audio™ brand Ambassador, Martin Kemp; celebrity chef and TV presenter, Simon Rimmer; model, presenter, and lifestyle influencer, Georgia Jones.
