Legato raises $12M and previews hearing help built into glasses

In short: Hearing tech startup Legato says it raised $12 million and will launch its Legato Frames, glasses with built-in hearing help, later this fall.

What happened

Legato, a new company focused on hearing support, announced it is coming out of “stealth,” meaning it had been working quietly before sharing details publicly. The company told TechCrunch it raised $12 million from investors including Neotribe Ventures, Listen, and Village Global.

Legato also shared an early look at its first product, Legato Frames. The company says the hearing-assistance parts are built into the arms of the glasses, so they are meant to look like regular eyewear.

The company was founded by Mehul Trivedi and Steve Romine in late 2024. Both previously worked on hearing and wearable products at larger companies, including Bose.

Legato says its system uses AI (software that finds patterns, like how your phone sorts photos) to separate voices from background sounds and then boost the voices. This is meant to help in noisy places like restaurants. The frames have an open-ear design, and Legato says sound is directed toward the wearer and reduced by 99% a few inches away, so people nearby should not hear it.

Legato says the frames will be sold through select eye-care providers in the US. It also says they will cost “a fraction” of traditional hearing aids and may qualify for vision insurance when bought through an eye-care clinic.

Why it matters

Many people with mild to moderate hearing loss avoid hearing aids due to cost, comfort, or stigma. Glasses that do double duty could make it easier for some people to get help and keep up with conversations.

Source: TechCrunch AI