Legato has emerged from stealth with $12 million in funding and unveiled Legato Frames, AI-powered hearing glasses designed to integrate hearing assistance directly into everyday eyewear. The financing came from Neotribe Ventures, Listen, and Village Global.
Legato is positioning its technology as an alternative to conventional hearing aids, combining hearing assistance with the familiar form factor of glasses.
The company said Legato Frames discreetly integrate patented hearing technology into the arms of the eyewear.
Legato is targeting a global hearing device market the company estimates at approximately $15 billion.
The company cited an estimated 50 million U.S. adults living with hearing loss, while only about 20% of people with diagnosed hearing loss address it.
Legato believes combining hearing technology with eyewear can address some of the cost, comfort and stigma barriers that have historically limited hearing aid adoption.
Its technology is protected by four granted patents and more than 20 pending patent applications.
The company said the system is designed to deliver performance comparable to traditional hearing aids while fitting inside everyday eyewear.
Legato Frames are scheduled to launch later this fall through the company’s website and select eye care providers.
The glasses will be offered in multiple styles and are expected to cost a fraction of traditional hearing aids. They may also qualify for vision insurance when purchased through an eye care clinic.
Legato was founded in 2024 by industry veterans who previously worked on products at Bose and Apple.
KEY QUOTES:
“Traditional hearing aids have existed for 70 years, but the cost, discomfort, and stigma turn away so many people who could really benefit from them. We wanted to turn a hard-to-swallow medical device into a product people are actually excited to wear.”
Mehul Trivedi, CEO And Co-Founder Of Legato
“The hearing aid industry has spent decades optimizing for invisibility, making devices smaller so people won’t notice them. Legato flips that logic. The path to adoption isn’t to make hearing assistance disappear, it’s to make it a style choice.”
Kittu Kolluri, Founder And Managing Director At Neotribe Ventures
“Legato represents the best of where AI is headed: thoughtful design wrapped around cutting-edge technology, all to unlock fuller, more human experiences.”
Rick Desai, Managing Partner At Listen
