On World Hearing Day, EssilorLuxottica’s hearing division points to scientific evidence on the measurable effects of listening effort, delayed care, and dual sensory challenges.
On World Hearing Day 2026, EssilorLuxottica’s Nuance Audio is highlighting scientific evidence that shows even mild-to-moderate hearing loss can have measurable consequences on communication, fatigue, and social participation, reinforcing the need for earlier identification and management.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.6 billion people live with some degree of hearing loss, with approximately 1.2 billion experiencing mild-to-moderate loss. While severe impairment is widely recognized, the company notes that mild-to-moderate hearing loss often remains under-identified despite its impact on daily functioning.
“Mild-to-moderate hearing loss should not be dismissed as a minor inconvenience,” says Dr Tami Harel, chief of audiology at Nuance Audio, EssilorLuxottica, in a release. “Scientific evidence shows that even early-stage changes increase listening effort and cognitive load. Early recognition and timely intervention are key to preserving communication, reducing fatigue, and maintaining social connection over time.”
Listening Effort and Dual Sensory Impact
Early-stage hearing loss often presents as difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments. As hearing clarity declines, the brain works harder to process speech, which can lead to higher levels of fatigue.
Intervention for these symptoms is often delayed. Studies indicate an average of nine years may pass between a hearing loss diagnosis and the adoption of hearing aids. This delay is associated with reduced social participation and emotional strain. The issue is often compounded by coexisting age-related vision changes, such as presbyopia. Individuals with combined hearing and vision impairment may experience worse functional and psychosocial outcomes than those with a single sensory deficit.
“As life expectancy increases, sensory changes are becoming more prevalent and more interconnected,” says Olga Prenat, global head of medical & professional affairs at EssilorLuxottica, in a release. “World Hearing Day is an opportunity to move beyond awareness toward evidence-based action. Vision and hearing are two fundamental senses, which are essential to communication and independence.”
An Integrated Solution for Early-Stage Care
To address barriers to adoption like stigma, cost, and accessibility, EssilorLuxottica has developed Nuance Audio Glasses, which integrate an open-ear hearing solution into prescription eyewear. The product is designed for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss to enhance speech clarity and reduce listening effort.
Clinical research on the device demonstrated a 29% improvement in words understood in extreme noise and a 32% reduction in perceived listening effort in noisy environments.
“With Nuance Audio Glasses, we aim to shape the future of early-stage hearing care,” says Stefano Genco, global head of Nuance Audio at EssilorLuxottica, in a release. “Our ambition is to make hearing care as effortless as wearing a pair of glasses.”
Featured image: A woman wearing Nuance Audio glasses at a restaurant. Photo: Nuance Audio
