Patients who wear glasses, but also have mild to moderate hearing loss have a new option outside of traditional hearing aids: the Nuance Audio Glasses.
These glasses have invisible speakers that act as open-ear hearing aids, eliminating the need to use a behind-the-ear hearing aid that’s more uncomfortable to use with glasses.
If that sounds right up your alley, give us a call to schedule a demo!
How do these compare with traditional hearing aids?
The typical Nuance patient is an adult with mild to moderate hearing loss who is looking for an option that is not a traditional hearing aid.
Most people with that level of hearing loss aren’t looking into three- and five-thousand-dollar hearing devices yet.
Or maybe they have a cosmetic reason for wanting that.
Or their ear canal is such that it does not feel comfortable when a hearing device is inside of it.
It is just a new innovative way to tackle hearing loss as well as sight.
Can this help me hear better in a crowded room?
It’s not only a typical hearing solution, but enables directional hearing.
You can change the microphones and receptors to only operate in the front of the frame, making the hearing directional toward what you’re looking at.
That makes it more focused and easier to hear what you are trying to pay attention to, rather than a hearing aid that amplifies everything in the room.
Does this mean I don’t have to ask people to repeat themselves?
Mild to moderate hearing loss is what these are FDA-approved for. This is for people living with the irritation and constant “What was that?” or “Huh?”
And then you have to ask four or five times, and people have to repeat themselves, and then you end up frustrated and decide, “I bet I heard it okay,” and stop trying to hear.
Can I watch TV at a normal volume again?
It’s very hard when you can’t hear your loved ones, or when you’re no longer able to sit in the same room with a comfortable TV volume for both people. It becomes emotional and hard to continue to live and enjoy life.
I had one patient whose mother couldn’t watch TV with her in the last year or so. Mom needed the volume at 100, daughter was bothered by the TV at 100, and Mom still couldn’t hear or distinguish enough to enjoy the show.
They’ve been going to separate rooms at night and not co-existing after dinner.
After getting the Nuance glasses, they are now able to sit and watch TV together again, which is what they enjoy. When she picked up her glasses, it made her tear up with joy.
Is it heavy or bulky? Will it look strange?
It’s very lightweight and discreet for what it’s doing. It weighs about 40 grams.
All the mechanisms are hidden in the temple of the glasses. It’s more of an open-ear speaker situation, instead of something inside the ear, so wearers feel much more natural than they would with a hearing device.
My understanding is there’s nothing quite like this on the market. It’s the first of its kind.
How do I go from “What?” to hearing better again?
Come see me. I demo the glasses first, show what they can do, and make sure the volume works well.
If that all is good, then we measure for the lenses and decide what lenses would be best for their lifestyle. Whether that’s auto-darkening for the sun, progressive lens, single vision, or transitions for both sun and clear.
Once we order them, it takes about three weeks. There’s a simple 10- to 20-minute dispensing where we calibrate the glasses to the patient, and that’s it.
Then they take it home, set up their charging dock, download the app, and they’re ready to go.
Can I try the glasses risk-free? What’s the refund policy?
They are offering a 30-day money-back guarantee.
I haven’t had to explore that yet. But it’s simple to return it if someone is unhappy with the product.
Can I use vision insurance or is there a discount?
The cost is $1,500. Vision insurance can cover them as a frame benefit, but there are no hearing benefits.
We can apply insurance for vision, and we also offer a 10% discount if someone doesn’t have insurance.
What support do you offer after the purchase?
Customers can come back anytime. I’m happy to help them with getting on the app or troubleshooting anything.
I haven’t had anyone come back with issues yet, but they’re welcome anytime.
There is no adjustment on these glasses. They just need to fit well from the start.
Does untreated hearing loss raise dementia risk?
There’s some scientific research showing a connection between hearing loss and the onset of dementia.
Once you stop using that part of the brain, early dementia can set in. It’s not cut and dry, but there is a link — and that’s something to take seriously.
And a lot of times, it’s not the person with hearing loss who’s bothered. It’s their loved ones.
When families hear about these devices, they say, “Oh my gosh, what a great day that would be for my mom/dad/grandparent.” Because they’re tired of repeating themselves. It’s just exhausting for everyone, and this can really help.
What should people do if they’re interested?
They can come demo them and see if they would be right for their lifestyle. Just give us a call.
Schedule a Demo Today and Start Hearing Again
Don’t let hearing loss sap away the people you love and the things you love to do. Call today or contact us to schedule your demo.