Hearing loss affects an estimated 50 million adults in the United States, but only around 20% seek treatment. Enter Legato – a new hearing tech company that aims to change this statistic with its AI hearing glasses.

Called Legato Frames, these glasses integrate the company’s patented hearing-assistance technology into standard eyewear frames. The startup is emerging from stealth on Wednesday with $12 million in funding and plans to launch later this fall.

The founders, Mehul Trivedi and Steve Romine, bring extensive experience in wearables and hearing care. After years at larger companies, they decided to explore the intersection of hearing technology and smart eyewear, eventually founding Legato in late 2024.

Legato’s goal is to make hearing as ubiquitous as vision. They aim to address the cost, comfort, and stigma associated with traditional hearing aids by making their glasses small, lightweight, and virtually unnoticeable. The AI-powered glasses differentiate between background noise and voices, amplifying only the latter for clearer conversations.

When the frames launch later this year, they will be available through select eye-care providers nationwide and will cost a fraction of traditional hearing aids, potentially eligible for vision insurance when purchased through an eye-care clinic. The company hopes to help people hear better, connect more with the world, and reduce risks associated with poor hearing.