Australian Optometrist Integrates Audio Glasses for Hearing Support

An Australian optometrist has integrated a new category of wearable technology into his practice, offering glasses designed to assist adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment. The device, which combines eyewear with directional audio technology, is being presented as an option for specific listening situations, with a clear protocol for referring more significant hearing issues to specialist care.

Practitioner and Product Introduction

Michael Hare, an optometrist who owns Vision Michael Hare, part of the Eyecare Plus network, has begun offering Nuance Audio Glasses. He is among the first independent optometrists in Australia to do so. Hare graduated in 1975 and entered clinical practice in 1976.

The glasses are manufactured by EssilorLuxottica, which is supplying them to independent practitioners through its wholesale business. In early 2025, Hare was part of a select group of Australian practitioners invited to Milan to see the technology showcased.

Technology and Specifications

The Nuance Audio Glasses incorporate directional microphones embedded in the frame, which are designed to capture sound from where the wearer is looking. Open-ear speakers then deliver amplified sound without blocking the ear canal. The stated aim of the technology is to enhance speech from in front of the wearer while reducing background noise.

The glasses are designed to enhance speech from in front of the wearer while reducing background noise.

Key product details include:

Compatibility: The glasses pair with the Nuance Audio App, which is compatible with iOS 16 or later and Android 12 or later.
App Controls: Through the app, users can select audio modes, choose preset amplification settings, adjust volume, and modify background noise reduction.
Battery: Battery life is rated for up to eight hours of continuous use under average conditions, with a full charge taking approximately three hours on a wireless charging pad.
Design: The frames are available in styles including Panthos 48, Square 54, and Square 56. They can be fitted with either prescription or plano (non-prescription) lenses.

Implementation in Clinical Practice

Hare states that during routine eye consultations, he and his staff may observe signs of a patient having difficulty following conversation. In such cases, they can introduce the glasses as an option for discussion, framing it as presenting a choice rather than making a diagnosis.

Patients are able to trial the glasses in-store. Staff at Hare's practice have been trained through online modules and in-practice sessions to support this process. Hare reports that most early adopters so far have been existing prescription spectacle wearers.

Referral Protocol and Professional Boundaries

A consistent point emphasized across reports is the defined scope of the product's use. Hare states that patients with hearing difficulties beyond a mild to moderate level require referral to audiology and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists. He clarifies that the glasses are not suitable for severe hearing loss.

"This is not a case of optometry trying to usurp audiology."

On the relationship between optometry and audiology, Hare described the technology as complementary and suggested it presents an opportunity for independent optometrists and audiology groups to coordinate patient care. He also noted that the glasses could act as a gateway, encouraging patients to seek formal audiological assessment if their hearing condition worsens.

Practitioner Observations and Context

Hare reflected on the introduction of the glasses within the context of technological change in optometry over his career, citing past developments like computerized visual field analysis, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and therapeutic prescribing.

Regarding patient suitability, he stated the glasses are "ideal for someone who's having difficulty hearing clearly in a restaurant when there's a lot of peripheral noise." He also observed that because the devices resemble conventional eyewear, they may offer a more discreet entry point for some people compared to traditional hearing aids, potentially reducing associated stigma.