Nuance Audio Glasses at Eye Concepts
Nuance Audio Glasses are glasses with a hearing aid built into the frame, designed for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Small directional microphones and open-ear speakers sit inside the arms, so the voice in front of you comes through more clearly in busy places, with nothing sitting in or behind your ears.
You can try Nuance Audio Glasses at our Narellan and North Sydney practices. Our AHPRA-registered optometrists look after the vision side, checking your prescription and fitting your lenses, while our team sets up the hearing features with you through the companion app during your visit.
Nuance Audio Glasses are included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) as a Class IIa medical device, listed as a spectacle air-conduction hearing aid. In other words, they’re regulated as a hearing aid in Australia, not sold as a tech accessory.
How Nuance Audio Glasses work
Most of us know the moment. The restaurant fills up, the music goes up a notch, and you start nodding along to a conversation you’re only half following. According to healthdirect, even mild hearing loss can make conversation harder, particularly in noisy rooms or when people talk quickly. And it’s common: the Australian Government Department of Health estimates that one in six Australians experience hearing loss.
Nuance Audio Glasses are built for exactly that situation. Directional microphones in the frame pick up the voice in front of you and turn down background noise. Open-ear speakers near each temple direct that sound towards your ears, so there’s no earpiece, no tube and nothing for anyone to notice.
You don’t need an audiogram to get started. The glasses come with preset sound settings, including a focused mode for one-on-one conversations and an all-around mode for groups, plus adjustable volume and noise reduction. We set these up with you in store, and you can fine-tune them later through the Nuance Audio app on iPhone or Android.
The glasses have also been clinically evaluated in adults with mild to moderate hearing difficulties by the National Acoustic Laboratories in Sydney, the research division of Hearing Australia.
Who Nuance Audio Glasses suit
People who struggle to follow conversation in noise
If quiet rooms are fine but cafés, family dinners and work meetings are hard work, that’s the pattern Nuance Audio Glasses are designed around. They’re aimed at everyday listening, not at correcting significant hearing loss.
Glasses wearers who’d rather not add a second device
Many people who notice early hearing changes already wear glasses for reading or distance. Combining both into one frame means one thing to put on in the morning and one thing to charge at night.
People who’ve been putting off hearing aids
Stigma, comfort and cost are common reasons people delay getting help with their hearing. Because Nuance Audio Glasses look like regular frames and there’s nothing in the ear, some people find them an easier first step. They also suit people who don’t need a prescription: the frames come with clear or light-responsive non-prescription lenses as standard.
When Nuance Audio Glasses aren’t the right fit
These glasses are a good option for a specific group, and they’re not suitable for everyone. We’ll suggest another path if any of the following apply:
Your hearing loss is severe or profound, or a hearing professional has already recommended a traditional hearing aid.
You already wear a hearing aid. Nuance Audio Glasses are not designed to be used alongside one.
Tinnitus is your main concern. The glasses are not designed to manage it.
You’re under 18. Nuance Audio Glasses are intended for adults.
Your hearing dropped suddenly. healthdirect treats sudden hearing loss as an emergency, so head to your nearest emergency department.
You have ear pain, discharge or hearing loss in one ear only. See your GP or an audiologist first.
If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA card, you may be eligible for free hearing services and devices through the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program.
The Nuance Audio range: Nuance Audio Glasses vs Nuance Audio Plus
There are two generations of Nuance Audio Glasses. Both use the same open-ear hearing technology. The newer Nuance Audio Plus adds phone calls, a larger battery and simpler physical controls.
Nuance Audio (first generation)
Nuance Audio Square: a classic square frame in two sizes, AW5001 (54) and AW5004 (56), in Shiny Black, Shiny Burgundy or Deep Blue.
Nuance Audio Plus (second generation)
Nuance Audio Plus Square: a modern unisex square shape, model AW5005 (53-19, temple 145).
Nuance Audio Plus Upturn: a subtle lifted cat-eye shape, model AW5006 (52-18, temple 140).
Nuance Audio Plus Panthos: a soft rounded shape that suits smaller faces, with adjustable nose pads, model AW5007 (48-22, temple 145).
Plus frames come in Burgundy, Black, Deep Blue, Amber and Olive Green, with clear or light-responsive lenses.
| Feature | Nuance Audio (Gen 1) | Nuance Audio Plus (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Frame shapes | Square | Square, Upturn, Panthos |
| Battery life | Up to 8 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Phone calls | No | Yes, iPhone (Apple MFi certified) and Android |
| Controls | Companion app | On/off slider, volume and call buttons, long press for presets, plus app |
| Hearing range | Perceived mild to moderate | Perceived mild to moderate |
| RRP (frame with hearing technology) | $1,220 | $1,499 |
What happens at a Nuance Audio Glasses fitting
A fitting is a relaxed, hands-on appointment. Here’s what to expect:
A chat about your hearing. We ask where you notice difficulty (restaurants, meetings, the TV, phone calls) so we can match the right model and settings.
A check of your vision needs. If you need prescription lenses and haven’t had an eye test in the last two years, your optometrist will check your eyes and update your prescription.
Frame selection and fit. You try the shapes and sizes on. A secure fit matters, because the speakers need to sit in the right position near your ears.
App setup and presets. We pair the glasses with the Nuance Audio app and set your starting volume, noise reduction and listening presets.
A real-world listen. You test the glasses in the practice with background noise around you, and we adjust from there.
Lenses and collection. If you’re having prescription lenses fitted, we order them and let you know when your glasses are ready to collect.
Book a Nuance Audio Glasses fitting online, or call either practice to arrange a time.
How hearing aid glasses differ from traditional hearing aids
Nuance Audio Glasses and traditional hearing aids do the same core job, making speech easier to hear, but they’re built for different people. Neither is the right answer for everyone.
Design
Traditional hearing aids sit in or behind the ear. Nuance Audio Glasses put the technology into the arms of the frame and leave the ear canal open, which some people find more comfortable over a full day.
How they’re set up
Prescription hearing aids are usually programmed by an audiologist using the results of a hearing test. Nuance Audio Glasses use preset sound profiles that we adjust with you, so no audiogram is needed.
Who they help
Hearing aids cover everything from mild to profound hearing loss. Nuance Audio Glasses are designed only for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
When they work
Hearing aids stay in when you take your glasses off. Nuance Audio Glasses only provide hearing support while you’re wearing them, which suits people who already wear glasses most of the day.
Prescription lenses, light-responsive lenses and everyday wear
Every pair comes with non-prescription lenses as standard, either clear or light-responsive (lenses that darken outdoors and clear indoors). If you need vision correction, our optometrists can fit prescription lenses, which are priced separately. Your optometrist will talk you through which lens designs suit the frame and your prescription.
Optometry Australia recommends an eye test every two years for adults under 65, and every year from 65. If you’re due, we can do both in one visit.
Nuance Audio Glasses price in Australia
The first-generation Nuance Audio Square has an RRP of $1,220 for the frame with hearing technology built in. Nuance Audio Plus frames have an RRP of $1,499, and light-responsive lens options cost a little more. Prescription lenses are priced separately.
For current pricing, including any online offers, check the individual product pages linked above. Every pair comes with a 2-year warranty and a money-back guarantee (conditions apply, so ask our team for details).
Some private health funds may contribute to the cost under optical or hearing extras. Cover varies between funds and policies, so check with your fund before your visit; we can provide an itemised receipt to support your claim.
Caring for your Nuance Audio Glasses
A few simple habits keep your glasses working well:
Charge them overnight on the wireless charging pad, the same way you’d charge a phone.
Keep the Nuance Audio app updated so you have the latest settings and improvements.
Remember they’re splash resistant, not waterproof. Take them off for swimming and showering.
Clean the lenses and frame with the cloth supplied, and store them in the case when you’re not wearing them.
Come back in if the fit loosens or the sound changes. Small frame adjustments can make a noticeable difference.
Book an eye test every two years, or every year from age 65, to keep your prescription current.
See your GP or an audiologist if your hearing gets worse, as you may need a different type of support.
Always read the label and follow the instructions for use.
Where to try Nuance Audio Glasses in Sydney
Eye Concepts Narellan
Eye Concepts Narellan is at Shop 205, Narellan Town Centre, 326 Camden Valley Way, Narellan NSW 2567. Call us on (02) 4647 4996, or drop in - we’re open 7 days, with late nights until 9pm on Thursdays.
Eye Concepts North Sydney
Eye Concepts North Sydney is at Shop C04, Greenwood Plaza, on the corner of Miller Street and Pacific Highway, North Sydney NSW 2060, a short walk from North Sydney train station. Call us on (02) 9922 2057. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, and Saturday, 9am to 2pm.
Nuance Audio Glasses FAQs
Are Nuance Audio Glasses a hearing aid?
Yes. Nuance Audio Glasses are included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods as a Class IIa medical device, listed as a spectacle air-conduction hearing aid. They’re designed for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
How much do Nuance Audio Glasses cost in Australia?
The first-generation Nuance Audio Square has an RRP of $1,220, and the Nuance Audio Plus range has an RRP of $1,499. Prescription lenses are an additional cost. Check the product pages for current online pricing.
Do I need a hearing test before buying Nuance Audio Glasses?
No audiogram is needed. We set up the preset sound profiles with you during your fitting. If you’re unsure about the level of your hearing loss, a hearing check with an audiologist can help confirm whether these glasses are a good match.
Can I get Nuance Audio Glasses with prescription lenses?
Yes. Our AHPRA-registered optometrists can fit prescription lenses to Nuance Audio frames. If your prescription is more than two years old, we’ll recommend an eye test first.
Can you take phone calls with Nuance Audio Glasses?
The Nuance Audio Plus range supports phone calls through the glasses with iPhone (Apple MFi certified) and Android phones. The first-generation frames don’t support calls.
How long does the battery last on Nuance Audio Glasses?
Nuance Audio Plus frames last up to 10 hours per charge, and first-generation frames up to 8 hours. Both charge on the wireless pad included in the box.
Where can I try Nuance Audio Glasses in Sydney?
You can try them at Eye Concepts Narellan in Narellan Town Centre and Eye Concepts North Sydney in Greenwood Plaza. Book a fitting online or call either practice.
Book Your Nuance Audio Glasses Fitting at Eye Concepts
If conversations in busy places have started to feel like hard work, a Nuance Audio Glasses fitting is an easy way to find out whether hearing aid glasses suit you. Visit our Narellan or North Sydney practice to try the full range, have your vision checked by an AHPRA-registered optometrist and leave with your settings ready to go.