Essilor Luxottica’s Purchase of Hearing Tech Startup Nuance Marks Boost in Hearing Solutions Accessibility

Roughly 40 million adults in the United States suffer from some degree of hearing loss. Yet, federal data reveals that only about one-fifth of those who could benefit from a hearing aid seek intervention. This is in spite of studies showing that untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of frailty, falls, social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline. Scientists from Johns Hopkins University have even found that mild hearing loss doubles one’s risk of developing dementia.

This widespread condition has led to an increased demand for effective and accessible hearing solutions, prompting advancements within the hearing aid market. One company striving to provide more affordable and advanced options for those with hearing difficulties is Essilor Luxottica. Here’s a deeper look at what prompted the group to acquire a hearing tech startup and the tool promising to change the hearing device market. 

In an effort to address the growing issue of hearing loss and make hearing aids more accessible, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids that went into effect in October 2022. This regulation aims to increase competition within the hearing tech landscape, reduce costs, and provide easier access to hearing solutions for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. By allowing customers to purchase hearing aids without a prescription, the FDA hopes to eliminate barriers and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans.

Among the innovative solutions emerging in the hearing tech market comes from the startup Nuance Hearing. Founded by tech veterans Yehuda and Zohar Zisapel in 2015, the company was established to develop a technological solution for the “cocktail party problem.” Essentially, the brothers wanted to address the challenge of picking out speech in noisy social situations, such as in a party or classroom setting.

The solution they came up with was Nuance hearing glasses, which harness acoustic beamforming technology to cut through background noise and voice distractions. Using a proprietary algorithm, the glasses can automatically select the preferred hearing direction from one or two sources with the highest acoustic energy. The integration of bone conduction technology then amplifies the sound and delivers clear audio to the user’s ears.

In a pivotal move to expand its footprint in the hearing solutions market, EssilorLuxottica recently announced its 100% acquisition of Nuance. According to a CalCalisTech article, the eyewear giant has plans to strengthen the acquisition with a dedicated Super Audio team and in-house research and development resources. Ultimately, the group aims to augment its eyewear portfolio with new hearing technology to benefit the 1.5 billion consumers worldwide suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss. 

Francesco Milleri, the CEO of EssilorLuxotttica, stated, “While sight remains our core business – and growing the optical market our strategy – we are uniquely positioned to open up a new avenue for the industry by addressing the need for good hearing with innovative technologies. As we did in the vision space, we will be the first to remove the stigma of traditional hearing solutions, replacing it with comfort and style.” The acquisition is expected to accelerate the development and distribution of Nuance’s hearing glasses, making them more widely available and affordable. 

Over the past few years, tech giants like Apple and Bose have also entered the hearing aid market, leveraging their expertise in consumer electronics to develop high-quality OTC hearing aids. Apple’s Airpods Pro earphones, for instance, offer a transparency mode that enhances ambient sounds. This enables people with hearing loss to hear quiet sounds better. Meanwhile, Bose’s SoundControl Hearing Aids are designed to be self-fitted and adjusted via a smartphone app. 

As hearing loss continues to be a major health concern, innovations like Nuance’s hearing glasses and the advent of OTC hearing aids are poised to transform the market, providing individuals with effective and convenient options to improve their hearing and overall quality of life. 

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