EssilorLuxottica's Hearing-Aid Glasses Land FDA Clearance as Myopia Data and AI Frames Reshape the Growth Story
Published on 09/23/2026 at 06:51 | Editorial boerse-global.de
EssilorLuxottica has cleared a key regulatory hurdle in its push beyond conventional eyewear. The Paris-based optical group said Tuesday that its Nuance Audio Plus hearing glasses have won FDA clearance for over-the-counter sale in the United States, allowing consumers to buy the device without a doctor's consultation. Investors welcomed the news, sending the shares up 3.1% in Paris to close at EUR 145.60.
The launch marks a further step into connected medical technology for a company long associated with frames and lenses. Priced at USD 829 at entry, the Nuance Audio Plus packs directional microphones and speakers into the temples, with a design the company says is indistinguishable from an ordinary pair of glasses.
What the new model brings
Versus its predecessor, the device offers up to ten hours of battery life, physical controls built into the frame and stronger amplification. Users can operate it either through a smartphone app or a separate remote. American buyers can pick from three styles — Square, Pathos and Upturn — while the over-the-counter classification removes the need for a fitting appointment.
The addressable market is substantial. EssilorLuxottica estimates that roughly 1.25 billion people worldwide live with mild to moderate hearing loss, and nearly 90% of them have no adequate solution. Stefano Genco, Global Head of Nuance Audio, said the products are already sold in 14 countries through more than 18,000 stores. Customers skew about five years younger than traditional hearing-aid users, and two-thirds of buyers had never previously worn a conventional device.
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Myopia lens shows early promise
Running alongside the hearing push, the group released interim data from a randomized, double-blind trial in Guangzhou, China, on its Essilor Stellest 2.0 lens for childhood myopia. After six months, the lens slowed myopia progression by 0.51 diopters compared with standard single-vision lenses, while axial eye elongation fell by 0.21 millimeters. More than 90% of participants wore the lenses for over twelve hours a day. The trial's primary endpoint, however, is the twelve-month readout, and Stellest 2.0 has yet to secure US approval.
Smart glasses scale up
Connected eyewear remains the strategic centerpiece. Reuters reports that EssilorLuxottica is targeting annual production capacity of ten million smart units by the end of 2026. Counterpoint Research data show global AI glasses shipments climbed 263% year over year in the first half of 2026, with display-free models accounting for 96% of the market — momentum driven by the joint expansion of Meta and EssilorLuxottica.
Scaling those technologies is not cheap. Second-quarter 2026 revenue reached EUR 7,692 million, a gain of 7.2%, with specialty lines such as myopia management and AI glasses posting sharp increases while the core frames and vision-care business grew at a more modest pace of around 5%.
A bruising year for shareholders
The operational transition has yet to win over the market. The stock is down 46% since the start of the year, and Tuesday's close of EUR 145.60 leaves it 55% below its 52-week high. Regulatory questions around camera-equipped frames and debate over the governance of majority shareholder Delfin Sarl have added to the pressure. Kepler Cheuvreux recently cut its rating to "Reduce," citing fears of margin dilution from new tech segments, while RBC Capital reiterated an "Outperform" stance.
How well initiatives like the Nuance Audio Plus perform may determine whether the company can cement a high-margin blend of health product and everyday aid.
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