Hearing tech startup Legato has emerged from stealth with $12 million in funding and an early look at its AI-powered hearing glasses, a product designed to blend hearing support with everyday eyewear.
The company's first device, Legato Frames, places its hearing-assistance system inside the arms of the glasses. Built for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, the product aims to offer a more discreet, lightweight, and easy-to-use alternative to traditional hearing aids.
Legato was founded by Mehul Trivedi and Steve Romine, two veterans of wearables and hearing care. Their background spans work at Bose, EssilorLuxottica, Meta Ray-Bans, and Audicus, giving the startup a rare mix of eyewear and audio expertise.
At the core of the device is an AI-based acoustic system that separates speech from background noise and amplifies voices more clearly. The glasses also use a dual-speaker setup that directs sound toward the wearer while limiting sound leakage to people nearby.
The company says the design is meant to feel natural, with a form factor that resembles regular glasses and requires minimal adjustment. Funding from Neotribe Ventures, Listen, and Village Global has supported product development and early market preparation.
Legato plans to launch later this fall through select eye-care providers in the United States, with pricing expected to be far below conventional hearing aids and potentially eligible for vision insurance in some cases. The move points to a future where hearing support may become as seamless and familiar as wearing glasses.
