Legato secures $12M to launch AI-powered hearing glasses

Founders Mehul Trivedi and Steve Romine, both veterans of Bose’s wearable and hearing divisions, launched the company in late 2024. Their product, Legato Frames, utilizes a proprietary acoustic system and AI signal processing to isolate human voices from background noise. Unlike conventional hearing aids that often struggle in crowded environments, the glasses are designed to amplify speech while maintaining a discreet profile that mimics standard fashion eyewear.

The startup is targeting the significant population suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss. By integrating the technology into a familiar form factor, the founders hope to make hearing correction as routine as wearing corrective lenses. The frames feature a dual-speaker system engineered to direct sound toward the wearer, with proprietary cancellation technology that prevents audio leakage to those nearby.

Backed by investors including Neotribe Ventures, Listen, and Village Global, Legato is preparing for a market rollout later this fall. The company intends to distribute the glasses through select eye-care providers, positioning the product as a cost-effective alternative to traditional hearing aids. Because they are sold through clinics, the frames may qualify for vision insurance coverage, further lowering the barrier to entry for users.