Pexels/Kindel Media
26 July 2023
EssilorLuxottica has revealed plans to expand into the hearing solutions market.
The group plans to introduce a new hearing technology for the 1.25 billion people experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss.
The product will embed an invisible hearing technology into fashionable glasses, and is expected to launch in the second half of 2024.
It is hoped that this approach will help to remove “a psychological barrier” around adoption of hearing aids.
The move was enabled by the acquisition of the start-up, Nuance, and will be backed by a dedicated ‘Super Audio’ team, and in-house research and development resources.
The company suggested the hearing solutions market is underpenetrated, with research indicating an 83% service gap.
Francesco Milleri, chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica,, and Paul du Saillant, deputy CEO, explained: “While sight remains our core business – and growing the optical market our strategy – we are uniquely positioned to open up a new avenue for the industry by addressing the need for good hearing with innovative technologies.”
Through its open business model, EssilorLuxottica said it would leverage traditional hearing aid channels, as well as select optical wholesale customers, to make the technology available in 150 countries, as well as engaging the retail network to support the category.
Milleri and Saillant commented: “As we did in the vision space, we will be the first to remove the stigma of traditional hearing solutions, replacing it with comfort and style.”
EssilorLuxottica has reported an 8% increase in revenue in the second quarter of the year.
The group plans to introduce a new hearing technology for the 1.25 billion people experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss.
The product will embed an invisible hearing technology into fashionable glasses, and is expected to launch in the second half of 2024.
It is hoped that this approach will help to remove “a psychological barrier” around adoption of hearing aids.
The move was enabled by the acquisition of the start-up, Nuance, and will be backed by a dedicated ‘Super Audio’ team, and in-house research and development resources.
The company suggested the hearing solutions market is underpenetrated, with research indicating an 83% service gap.
Francesco Milleri, chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica,, and Paul du Saillant, deputy CEO, explained: “While sight remains our core business – and growing the optical market our strategy – we are uniquely positioned to open up a new avenue for the industry by addressing the need for good hearing with innovative technologies.”
Through its open business model, EssilorLuxottica said it would leverage traditional hearing aid channels, as well as select optical wholesale customers, to make the technology available in 150 countries, as well as engaging the retail network to support the category.
Milleri and Saillant commented: “As we did in the vision space, we will be the first to remove the stigma of traditional hearing solutions, replacing it with comfort and style.”
EssilorLuxottica has reported an 8% increase in revenue in the second quarter of the year.
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