The sound of silence is getting louder in America — and the tech world is listening.
Across the country, the number of people living with some degree of hearing loss is rising, with cases expected to jump from 44 million in 2020 to more than 73 million by 2060.
And the consequences stretch far beyond asking someone to repeat themselves.
Hearing loss can take a serious toll on mental health and quality of life, raising the risk of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, social withdrawal and isolation.
Left untreated, it can also speed up cognitive decline, increase the likelihood of developing dementia and lead to more falls and mobility issues.
The good news? Help is getting a high-tech upgrade.
Next-generation hearing gadgets stole the spotlight at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, harnessing AI to make conversations crisper, reduce background noise and make daily life easier for millions of Americans.
Here’s a look at five standout pieces of tech that turned heads in Las Vegas last month — including one that helps protect little ears from future hearing loss.
Double-duty eyeglasses — with discerning audio
Developed by EssilorLuxottica, Nuance Audio’s FDA-approved, over-the-counter smart glasses amplify hearing while sharpening vision.
Tiny speakers built into the frames direct sound straight into your ears, while six AI-powered microphones pick up and amplify nearby voices while quieting background sounds.
“It’s annoying to not know what the hell people are saying,” Dr. Douglas Beck, senior director of audiology at EssilorLuxottica North America, told The Post.
“If we can give you back the ability to understand speech in challenging situations, your life is going to be so much easier.”
Designed for mild to moderate hearing loss, Nuance Audio glasses can be fitted with prescription lenses and are available in stores like LensCrafters and Target Optical or online for $840.
A speedy transcription, right before your eyes
Captify Pro turned also heads at CES, taking top prize at AgeTech After Dark, an AARP-sponsored startup pitch competition.
These AI-powered glasses capture speech with built-in microphones, transcribe it in real time and display the conversation as captions right in the wearer’s line of sight.
They filter out background noise and non-speech sounds like laughter or alarms, and they can translate conversations in 40 languages — all offline if needed.
Captify Pro glasses are designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They are available for purchase online for $899.
AI aids — that translate to other languages
If looking like Buddy Holly isn’t your thing, ELEHEAR’s new Delight hearing aids slip entirely into the ear canal for a discreet boost in hearing.
Its AI engine analyzes sounds in real time, amplifies speech, cuts background noise and blocks whistling or feedback.
“Many people want hearing support that fits into their lives without drawing attention or feeling intrusive,” David Hogan, managing director of ELEHEAR, said in a statement. “Delight was designed to feel natural, wearable and intuitive.”
Delight also streams audio via Bluetooth, translates speech in 20 languages and offers white-noise features to help those with tinnitus.
The device is available over-the-counter and is intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Pre-orders start at $329, with shipping expected this month.
A high-tech case with microphone and touchscreen
Cearvol’s Wave also updates traditional hearing aids by disguising them as modern earbuds — but the real innovation is its case.
The first-of-its-kind touchscreen charging system puts core controls directly in users’ hands, instead of having to manage the hearing aids through a smartphone app.
The case can also double as a remote microphone. Users place it near a sound source — like a TV or their date at a restaurant — and the audio streams directly to their ears, filtering out background noise.
Wave also includes AI-powered speech enhancement, noise suppression and feedback cancellation.
The device is intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. It’s not yet available for purchase.
Treating kids’ hearing issues
This unique device isn’t for people with hearing loss — but it’s designed to help prevent it in young people.
Named Best of Innovation in Digital Health at CES, Earflo treats negative middle ear pressure, a common cause of fluid buildup, infections and hearing problems in small children.
The condition often leads to ear tube surgery, the most common pediatric procedure in the US, performed on more than half a million children each year. Earflo provides a safe, non-invasive alternative.
Shaped like a sippy cup, it uses a soft mask under the nose to gently push air into the ear passage as the child swallows, helping fluid drain and relieving pressure.
Studies show that it’s effective, with up to 86% of patients showing improvement in hearing or ear pressure within four weeks. Ninety percent of children in that study avoided ear tube surgery.
A companion app gamifies the treatment, rewarding kids for proper use while letting parents track progress.
Earflo is undergoing FDA clearance and expected to hit the market this spring for $250 to $300.
