The emerging category of Hearing Enhancement Smart Glasses sits at the crossroads of fashionable eyewear and accessible hearing technology. Thanks to the 2022 OTC Hearing Aid Act, high-quality hearing amplification is no longer locked behind expensive audiologist visits.

Two Approaches

Bone Conduction: Sound vibrates through your skull directly to the inner ear, bypassing the ear canal. Great for situational awareness and users with conductive hearing loss.
Software Amplification: Digital microphones capture ambient sound, apply beamforming and noise reduction, then output through the glasses' speakers. Some models are FDA-cleared as OTC hearing aids.

What We Evaluate

Amplification Range: Most effective devices deliver 20-30dB of gain — enough for mild-to-moderate hearing difficulty in conversation.
Feedback Cancellation: Nothing ruins a social setting like hearing aid feedback whistles. We specifically test for this.
Battery Life During Active Amplification: Continuous digital processing drains batteries faster than passive audio. We note real-world amplification-active battery life.

These glasses are not a replacement for professional audiological care for severe hearing loss. They are, however, a powerful first step for the millions who "can hear, but not always clearly."

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hearing enhancement glasses a replacement for hearing aids?▾

Hearing enhancement glasses are designed for mild-to-moderate hearing difficulty. They typically provide 20-30dB of amplification. For severe hearing loss, professional audiological care and prescription hearing aids remain necessary.

Do hearing glasses use bone conduction or speakers?▾

Both approaches exist. Bone conduction models vibrate sound through your skull to the inner ear. Speaker-based models use directional speakers with digital amplification and noise reduction. Some FDA-cleared models qualify as OTC hearing aids.