How smart eyewear is helping a Northampton woman hear better

Emma Chandler, 44, from Desborough, Northamptonshire, is encouraging others to explore smart eyewear as a method to improve hearing.

Working in internal communications, conversations are a big part of her everyday role. While her hearing loss never stopped her doing the job she loves, she found herself increasingly relying on lip-reading and having to concentrate harder to follow conversations in busy environments.

Recently, Emma has begun wearing Nuance Audio glasses in her day-to-day life to help make conversations clearer. The smart eyewear has open-ear speakers in the arms that transmit amplified sound directly into Emma’s ear canal, helping her communicate with ease.

“I've lived with mild to moderate hearing loss for several years. Like many people, I explored hearing aids and even tried one through the NHS, but it wasn't the right solution for me at the time.

She continued: “More recently, following another hearing assessment, I was advised that although I had measurable hearing loss, I wasn't yet at the stage where a hearing aid was considered necessary.”

Over time, Emma began noticing the little things.

“I struggled to follow conversations from the back seat of the car, found myself relying on lipreading in busy places, and subtitles on the TV became a must because I often misheard words, even with the volume turned up.

“None of these moments felt significant on their own, but together they meant conversations were becoming harder work than they used to be.”

Through Emma’s role at Boots Opticians, she is constantly exposed to the latest innovations in smart eyewear technology, often getting the chance to see firsthand the difference modern eyewear can make to both customers and colleagues.

At a work conference, the Nuance Audio glasses team delivered a captivating presentation on their state-of-the-art smart eyewear with an interactive stand where people could have a firsthand experience of the technology.

“The first thing I noticed wasn't that everything suddenly sounded louder. It felt like someone had sharpened conversations. Voices became clearer, and I realised just how much effort I'd been putting into following everyday discussions.

Emma added: “I've been wearing Nuance Audio for several months now and using them during meetings, at home, catching up with friends, driving and going about my normal routine. The biggest difference isn't that everything sounds louder, it's that conversations take much less effort to follow.

“One unexpected favourite has been the Transition lenses. Having hearing support and everyday eyewear in the same pair of glasses means I'm not constantly swapping between glasses and sunglasses whenever I move between indoors and outdoors or get behind the wheel.”

She added: “If my story helps someone recognise themselves in those everyday moments lipreading or not being able to hear the same as everyone else, I encourage people to explore the options available as I found my solution with Nuance Audio’s smart eyewear.”

324 Boots Opticians stores up and down the country offer Nuance Audio glasses to support people like Emma who struggle with their hearing.

All Boots Opticians offer eyesight support to cater to all needs and with 535 stores across the UK, you’re never far away from a Boots Opticians.