Hearing tech startup Legato launches its AI hearing glasses

Legato announced the commercial launch of Legato Frames, its flagship AI hearing glasses, which integrate the startup’s hearing-assistance technology into the arms of eyeglass frames. The company positions the product as an alternative to conventional hearing aids, aiming to address common barriers like expense, discomfort and social stigma by combining auditory assistance with everyday eyewear.

The device uses on-board AI to separate voices from ambient noise and boost speech while suppressing background sounds, rather than relying on directional microphones like many traditional hearing aids. All signal processing occurs locally on the frames; Legato says the glasses do not use cameras or record audio. The open-ear design directs sound toward the wearer using a dual-speaker arrangement and minimizes sound leakage to nearby people.

On the hardware side, Legato Frames weigh 34 grams with lenses and deliver roughly 10 to 12 hours of battery life. They come in three styles, support prescription lenses, and include Bluetooth streaming for music and phone calls. The company says the frames are eligible for coverage under vision insurance and can be purchased through its website or selected eye care providers in the U.S.

Legato emerged from stealth this year after raising $12 million from Neotribe Ventures, Listen and Village Global. The startup was founded in 2024 by Mehul Trivedi and Steve Romine, both of whom bring experience from Bose (including work on Bose Frames and Bose’s hearing-aid business) and subsequent roles in smart eyewear and hearing care companies. The founders created Legato to explore integrating hearing technology into consumer eyewear.