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Nagish Acquires Sign.mt to Drive Research in AI and Sign Language. Read the announcement
Hearing Loss
January 13, 2025
7Min

Smart Glasses for Hearing Loss

Smart glasses are gaining popularity, with Ray-Ban Stories and Hearview Subtitle Glasses leading the trend. Read more about it!

Author:
Nicole Brener
Smart Glasses for Hearing Loss
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Smart glasses are becoming more common, with devices like Ray-Ban Stories leading the way and trending devices like Hearview Subtitle Glasses. 

With so much buzz about captioning glasses lately, we’d like to dive in and share our thoughts on this topic.

But first, what are captioning glasses? 

These smart glasses let you take photos, answer calls, and even listen to music—all while looking like regular sunglasses. They’re cool and practical, showing how technology can fit into everyday life.

But for people with hearing loss, smart glasses can do so much more. 

Smart glasses for deaf and hard of hearing individuals include real-time captions, speech-to-text displays, and visual alerts. They help people follow conversations and stay connected to the world in ways that weren’t possible before.

Understanding Smart Glasses Technology

Think about how technology has quietly worked its way into our daily lives. From smartwatches tracking our steps to voice assistants answering questions with a quick “Hey Siri,” we’ve come to rely on devices that make life a little easier. 

Smart glasses are the next step in this evolution. Once seen as something futuristic, they’re now a practical tool that’s helping people in incredible ways.

For individuals with hearing loss, caption glasses take things to a whole new level. These wearable devices use microphones, cameras, and processors to pick up speech in real time and convert it into text, which is displayed directly on the lenses. It’s like having subtitles for the world around you.

These glasses with subtitles let users “hear with their eyes.” 

Whether you're at a noisy restaurant, attending a lecture, or having a chat with friends, these glasses break down communication barriers and make conversations more accessible than ever.

Caption your calls and reconnect with the world.
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How Smart Glasses Can Help with Hearing Loss

For people with hearing loss, smart glasses can create a whole new way to connect with the world. Here’s what makes them so impactful:

  • Real-Time Captioning: With speech-to-text glasses, spoken words are instantly transcribed and displayed on the lens, perfect for loud environments like noisy restaurants. (If you don’t plan on having smart glasses yet, you can check apps for real-time captioning.)
  • Visual Alerts: Visual notifications for important sounds can act as an alert system for telephone calls or alarm systems.
  • Augmented Reality Tools: Some smart glasses can help navigate a busy street, send appointment reminders, or provide cues in social settings.
  • Multi-Language Support: Certain models can translate conversations in real-time, making communication across languages easier than ever.

Top Smart Glasses for the Hard of Hearing

If you’re in the market for smart glasses with subtitles, there are some fantastic options to explore. Each one comes with unique features, price points, and use cases, so let’s break them down to help you decide what might work best for you.

1. XRAI Glasses

  • Price Range: $400–$600
  • Key Features:some text
    • Real-time live-captioning with advanced speech recognition.
    • Lightweight and sleek design, making them comfortable for extended use.
    • Compatibility with Android devices via a dedicated app.
  • Ratings: 4.5/5
  • Testimonials:
    Many users highlight how useful they are, especially in group conversations. One user said, “These glasses have helped me feel included at family gatherings again. The captions are quick and accurate!” Another appreciated the portability, saying, “They’re easy to carry around, and I love how they don’t feel bulky.”

2. Nreal Air

  • Price Range: $379–$450
  • Key Features:some text
    • Augmented reality (AR) display with live captions.
    • Multi-functionality for streaming, gaming, and communication.
    • Stylish design that doesn’t compromise on usability.
  • Ratings: 4.2/5
  • Testimonials:
    Users love the combination of AR functionality and subtitles. A reviewer noted, “These glasses let me follow conversations and enjoy Netflix on a giant virtual screen. It’s like having two gadgets in one!” 

3. RIT Caption Glasses

  • Price Range: Customized pricing (often subsidized in academic settings).
  • Key Features:some text
    • Specifically designed for classroom use by deaf and hard of hearing students.
    • Closed captioning displays for lectures and group discussions.
    • Integration with live audio sources for seamless transcription.
  • Ratings: 4.8/5 (in academic environments)
  • Testimonials:
    A student shared, “These glasses made my college experience so much smoother. I could finally keep up with lectures in real-time.” 

Which One Should You Choose?

  • If you want all-day usability and accurate captions: Go for XRAI Glasses. They’re great for everyday interactions and group settings.
  • If you want a mix of functionality and style: The Nreal Air glasses are perfect for tech enthusiasts who also want AR features.
  • If you’re a student or educator: The RIT Caption Glasses are perfect for academic use, with a focus on classroom accessibility.

Should You Try Smart Glasses for Hearing Loss?

For early adopters, experimenting with these tools is an exciting opportunity to embrace cutting-edge technology that’s already breaking down communication barriers and transforming lives. As these devices continue to evolve, we can only expect improvements in functionality, design, and accessibility.

While today’s smart glasses are promising, they represent just the beginning. The potential for these tools to enhance accessibility and integration into everyday life is immense, making now the perfect time to explore what they can offer. After all, there’s something thrilling about being part of the journey as technology redefines the way we connect with the world—and each other.

Whether you're 18 or 100, staying connected matters—and Nagish is here to help.
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Nicole Brener

Copywriter based in Miami, FL. Leads copywriting workshops and mentors women entrepreneurs at the Idea Center of Miami Dade College.

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Nagish Acquires Sign.mt to Drive Research in AI and Sign Language. 
‍Read the announcement

Smart Glasses for Hearing Loss

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.