Essilor Luxottica is preparing to launch in the second half of 2024 in 150 countries a pair of glasses that can not only correct vision but also hearing. The product, a prototype of which is ready, aims to introduce a new paradigm and remove the stigma represented by traditional hearing aids. Hardware and software components developed in-house, including through the recent acquisition of Israeli start-up Nuance, will be used. The audio component will be invisible so as to remove the psychological barrier holding back the potential 1.25 billion consumers worldwide with mild to moderate hearing disorders. The revolutionary announcement came along with the first six months' results of the eyewear bigwig whose major shareholder is Delfin, the Del Vecchio family's safe. In the second quarter Essilux posted sales of 6,699 million euros (+8 percent at constant exchange rates and +4.9 percent at current exchange rates) in line with the pace of the first three months (+8.6 percent). Disappointing was sunglass retail in the U.S., which had a negative performance, while China produced an optimal one.
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