I am a bit confused now as to whether or not there is any AI involved in the technology inside the Nuance Audio frames, since the Wired article
@Diogenese shared claims there isn’t, although an interview from CES 2025 (see video from 5 min or the transcript) suggested to me that the software running on the glasses “capturing the sound, cleaning the sound” was something similar to the audio denoising algorithms BrainChip has been demoing?
Matthew Allsop discusses the groundbreaking Nuance Audio glasses—stylish eyewear with completely invisible hearing aids built into the frame.
harleysthearing.co.uk
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Anyway, regardless of whether or not there are any AI algorithms in the arm of the Nuance Audio hearing glasses, Steve Brightfield may technically still have referred to EssilorLuxottica when mentioning in his CES interview that he had “talked to some manufacturers that have glasses, where they put microphones in the front and then AI algorithms in the arm of the glasses” and confirming to Don Baine that he had actually seen manufacturers on the CES 2025 floor promoting this technology…
Just prior to CES 2025, EssilorLuxottica had announced the acquisition of Pulse Audition, a French start-up that uses AI-driven noise reduction and voice enhancement embedded in their eyeglasses (“Pulse Frames”).
Their algorithms are designed to run only on the Pulse Frames.
EssilorLuxottica takes a leap forward in its innovation journey with the acquisition of Pulse Audition
www.essilorluxottica.com
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EssilorLuxottica, the global leader in eyewear that has developed Nuance Audio Glasses, has announced the purchase of Pulse Audition, a company that has developed AI software for its audio glasses, Pulse Frames.
www.hearingtracker.com
EssilorLuxottica Acquires Pulse Audition's Audio Glasses Tech
The acquisition brings Pulse Frames' AI-driven technology and audio signal processing—as well as a team of highly skilled professionals—into EssilorLuxottica's portfolio, which includes its new Nuance Audio Glasses.
Written by
Karl Strom
Published on
EssilorLuxottica, Milan, Italy, the global leader in eyewear and creator of Nuance Audio Glasses, has announced the purchase of Pulse Audition, a French company that has developed AI software for a hearing glasses product, called Pulse Frames. Pulse Audition, based in Vallauris (near Cannes), France, is a startup that uses AI-driven noise reduction and voice enhancement software embedded in eyeglasses to enable individuals with hearing loss to better comprehend speech, even in challenging, noisy environments.
EssilorLuxottica is introducing its Nuance Audio glasses which feature advanced speech-in-noise software and an open-ear amplification system for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Nuance hopes to gain FDA approval for the product in the first half of 2025.
Nuance Audio Glasses use directional microphones and advanced speech-in-noise processing software to transmit sound to the open ear.
According to EssilorLuxottica, the acquisition brings Pulse Audition’s proprietary technologies, expertise in AI software development, embedded AI, and audio signal processing—as well as a team of highly skilled professionals—into EssilorLuxottica's portfolio. By integrating these capabilities, the Group plans to complement its exisiting proprietary hardware and software offerings, further elevating the quality of its products and solutions. The move builds on the Group’s strategic focus on hearing solutions, following its acquisition of Nuance Hearing in 2023.
“We continuously explore market opportunities in AI and big data, and this acquisition in France— one of our home countries— is a perfect fit with our long-term goals and investments in hearing solutions,” noted EssilorLuxottica Chairman & CEO Francesco Milleri and Deputy CEO Paul du Saillant in a press statement. “It reinforces our commitment to advancing the next category of computing platforms, also in Europe. We are excited to welcome this talented team in our Group and look forward to further unlocking the enormous potential in the underserved hearing space.”
HearingTracker Founder and Audiologist
Abram Bailey, AuD, and Audiologist
Matthew Allsop have favorably reviewed Nuance Audio glasses, along with several
other experts in the field. It appears to be a promising new form factor for people seeking help for milder hearing loss and a discrete solution for hearing in noise. Both companies are displaying their products at this year's CES 2025 in Las Vegas on January 7-10 (see
HearingTracker's CES 2025 preview).