Legato Launches AI Hearing Glasses With $12M Funding

Hearing technology startup Legato has emerged from stealth with $12 million in funding and a new pair of AI-powered hearing glasses designed to make hearing assistance more discreet and accessible.

The company’s Legato Frames combine eyewear with patented hearing-assistance technology built into the frames. The startup said the product is expected to launch later this year through select eye-care providers across the United States.

Hearing loss affects millions of adults in the U.S., yet many who could benefit from treatment do not seek it. Industry groups have pointed to cost, comfort, and social stigma as barriers that prevent wider adoption of traditional hearing aids.

Legato was founded by Mehul Trivedi and Steve Romine, two executives with backgrounds in wearable technology and hearing care. Trivedi previously helped create Bose Frames and later worked on smart eyewear initiatives at EssilorLuxottica, including efforts related to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. Romine previously led Bose’s hearing aids division and later served as COO of hearing care company Audicus.

AI technology focuses on clearer conversations.

The founders created Legato after identifying an opportunity to combine smart eyewear and hearing assistance into a single everyday device. The company is targeting people with mild to moderate hearing loss, which represents a large portion of the hearing-loss population.

Unlike traditional hearing aids that often rely on directional microphones to prioritise sounds from specific locations, Legato uses an AI-powered system that separates voices from background noise. The technology aims to amplify conversations while reducing unwanted background noise in challenging environments, such as restaurants.

Legato said it developed its own acoustic system, signal-processing technology, and mechanical design to keep the frames lightweight and similar in appearance to normal glasses.

“Our goal is to make hearing as ubiquitous as vision,” Legato co-founder Mehul Trivedi said in an interview.

The company said the open-ear glasses use a dual-speaker system that directs sound toward the wearer while limiting sound leakage. According to Legato, the design reduces escaped sound by 99% within just a few inches of the ear.

Startup targets lower-cost hearing assistance

Legato said its product is designed to reduce some of the challenges associated with traditional hearing aids by offering a discreet form factor that requires minimal controls or adjustments throughout the day.

The startup raised its $12 million funding from Neotribe Ventures, Listen, and Village Global. The capital has been used primarily for product development and marketing efforts.

Legato said its glasses will cost a fraction of traditional hearing aids and may qualify for vision insurance coverage when purchased through participating eye-care clinics.

The company’s founders believe combining hearing support with a product people already use daily could help more people address hearing challenges while maintaining social connections.