Legato, a hearing technology startup, has officially launched its AI-driven hearing glasses for consumers as of Thursday. The product, named Legato Frames, embeds the company's proprietary hearing-assistance technology directly into the temples of eyeglass frames. Priced from $999, the Frames are intended for adults experiencing up to moderate hearing loss. The development of these glasses reflects Legato's broader mission to make hearing care more accessible by tackling the expense, discomfort, and social stigma tied to conventional hearing aids.

Traditional hearing aids typically rely on directional microphones to pick up sound from specific directions, which can be ineffective in loud settings. Legato's method is entirely different. Its AI system separates human voices from ambient noise, amplifying speech while suppressing unwanted sounds. Even though the frames use an open-ear design, audio is not projected outward to bystanders. A dual-speaker setup beams sound toward the wearer and actively cancels escaping audio, cutting sound by 99% just a few inches from the ear.

According to the company, all processing takes place on the glasses themselves, and there are no cameras or recording capabilities. The frames weigh 34 grams including lenses and deliver 10-12 hours of battery life. Legato Frames come in three styles and are compatible with prescription lenses as well as Bluetooth streaming for music and phone calls. The public launch follows just weeks after the startup exited stealth mode with $12 million in funding from Neotribe Ventures, Listen, and Village Global.

Legato was established in 2024 by Mehul Trivedi and Steve Romine, both of whom bring extensive backgrounds in wearables and hearing care from their time at Bose. At Bose, Trivedi spearheaded the development of Bose Frames, while Romine oversaw the hearing aids division. After leaving Bose, Trivedi moved to EssilorLuxottica, where he directed smart eyewear initiatives and contributed to the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. Romine, meanwhile, became COO of Audicus, a hearing care company. The two eventually teamed up to investigate the intersection of hearing technology and smart eyewear.

Legato Frames are now available for purchase through the startup's website or via select eye care providers across the U.S., where they qualify for coverage under vision insurance.