On World Hearing Day 2026, EssilorLuxottica’s Nuance Audio highlights growing scientific evidence indicating that even mild-to-moderate hearing loss can have measurable consequences for communication, fatigue, and social participation, reinforcing the importance of earlier identification and proactive management.
Hearing loss remains one of the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.6 billion people globally live with some degree of hearing loss, with projections reaching 2.5 billion by 20501,2.
Approximately 1.2 billion individuals experience mild-to-moderate hearing loss2. Prevalence increases significantly with age, affecting more than one in four adults over 601.
“Mild-to-moderate hearing loss should not be dismissed as a minor inconvenience. 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.”
–Dr. Tami Harel, Chief of Audiology, Nuance Audio, EssilorLuxottica
Although severe hearing impairment is widely recognized, mild-to-moderate hearing loss often remains under-identified despite its documented impact on daily functioning.
Listening Effort and Daily Function
Early-stage hearing loss can affect more than hearing sensitivity alone. It often presents as difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments or an increased need for repetition3.
Research shows that when hearing clarity declines, the brain must work harder to interpret speech, particularly in complex listening environments4. Population studies indicate that adults with hearing loss are more likely to report higher levels of fatigue5, suggesting that even mild changes may influence communication and overall daily functioning.
Delayed Care and Dual Sensory Impact
Despite early symptoms, intervention is frequently delayed. Studies suggest that, on average, approximately nine years may pass between hearing loss diagnosis and hearing aid adoption6. During this period, untreated hearing loss has been associated with reduced social participation and emotional strain.
Hearing loss commonly coexists with age-related vision changes. Individuals experiencing both hearing and vision impairment may face worse psychosocial and functional outcomes than those with a single sensory deficit7. These findings highlight the importance of coordinated hearing and vision care strategies, particularly in aging populations.
“As life expectancy increases, sensory changes are becoming more prevalent and more interconnected,” said Olga Prenat, Global Head of Medical & Professional Affairs, EssilorLuxottica.
“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. This integrated approach allows to address the dual sensory challenges.”
Supporting Early-Stage Hearing Care
Consumers experiencing hearing loss may hesitate to adopt a solution due to stigma, discomfort, cost, and limited accessibility9. EssilorLuxottica recently introduced Nuance Audio Glasses, an open-ear hearing solution integrated into eyewear. The device is designed for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss and aims to enhance speech clarity and reduce listening effort in noisy environments.
Clinical research studies report measurable improvements in speech-in-noise performance (+29% more words understood in extreme noise) and reductions in perceived listening effort (32% less listening effort in real noise environments) when using Nuance Audio Glasses10.
“With Nuance Audio Glasses, we aim to shape the future of early-stage hearing care.” said Stefano Genco, Global Head of Nuance Audio, EssilorLuxottica. “Our ambition is to make hearing care as effortless as wearing a pair of glasses – empowering people with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss to stay connected, feel more confident, and be present in the moments that matter most”.
A Call for Proactive Hearing Management
On World Hearing Day 2026, Nuance Audio aims to raise awareness about mild-to-moderate hearing loss as a clinically meaningful condition requiring proactive management. Integrating hearing care into broader healthy aging strategies may play an important role in preserving communication, independence, and quality of life.
Notes:
Nuance Audio Glasses are not commercially available for sale in all countries.
- World Health Organization. Deafness and hearing loss [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025 Feb 26 [cited 2026 Mar 3]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss
- World Health Organization. World report on hearing. World Health Organization; 2021 Mar 3.
- National Institute on Aging. Hearing and hearing loss [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute on Aging; [cited 2026 Mar 3]. Available from: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-and-hearing-loss
- Peelle JE. Listening effort: How the cognitive consequences of acoustic challenge are reflected in brain and behavior. Ear and hearing. 2018 Mar 1;39(2):204-14.
- Jiang K, Spira AP, Lin FR, Deal JA, Reed NS. Hearing loss and fatigue in middle-aged and older adults. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. 2023 Aug 1;149(8):758-60.
- Simpson AN, Matthews LJ, Cassarly C, Dubno JR. Time from hearing aid candidacy to hearing aid adoption: a longitudinal cohort study. Ear and hearing. 2019 May 1;40(3):468-76.
- Bright T, Ramke J, Zhang JH, et al. Prevalence and impact of combined vision and hearing (dual sensory) impairment: A scoping review. PLOS global public health. 2023 May 16;3(5):e0001905.
- Lisan Q, Goldberg M, Lahlou G, et al. Prevalence of hearing loss and hearing aid use among adults in France in the CONSTANCES study. JAMA Network Open. 2022 Jun 17;5(6):e2217633.
- Franks, I., & Timmer, B. H. B. (2023). Reasons for the non-use of hearing aids: perspectives of non-users, past users, and family members. International Journal of Audiology, 63(10), 794–801.
- Clinical findings referenced are based on clinical studies conducted at Western University (Canada) and the National Acoustic Laboratories (Australia). EssilorLuxottica data on file, 2025.
