Legato Unveils AI Hearing Glasses with $12M Funding Boost

As hearing loss continues to affect approximately 50 million adults in the United States, Legato is stepping into the spotlight with a fresh approach to hearing assistance. The startup has announced a successful $12 million funding round, unveiling its innovative AI hearing glasses, known as Legato Frames.

Founded by former Bose executives Mehul Trivedi and Steve Romine, Legato is on a mission to transform how people address hearing loss, particularly targeting those with mild to moderate conditions. Their goal? To make hearing care as commonplace as vision correction.

“Our goal is to make hearing as ubiquitous as vision,” Trivedi stated, emphasizing the desire to normalize hearing assistance much like wearing glasses. The Legato Frames, which are set to launch this fall, incorporate advanced technology seamlessly into stylish eyewear, aiming to eliminate the stigma associated with traditional hearing aids.

Trivedi and Romine bring a wealth of experience to Legato, having worked on notable products at Bose and other major companies. They developed the Legato Frames to be lightweight and discreet, utilizing a proprietary system that enhances voice clarity while minimizing background noise. Unlike conventional hearing aids, which often struggle in noisy environments, Legato’s AI-driven technology amplifies conversations without overwhelming the wearer.

With a design that resembles ordinary glasses, Legato Frames are engineered for everyday use. They utilize a dual-speaker system that directs sound towards the user while significantly reducing sound leakage, ensuring a private listening experience.

The startup plans to distribute its product through select eye-care providers and aims to make it more affordable than traditional hearing aids. With support from investors like Neotribe Ventures and Village Global, Legato is committed to improving hearing accessibility and ultimately enhancing connections among individuals.

Trivedi highlights the broader implications of better hearing, linking it to reduced risks of dementia and depression. “When you hear better, you connect to the world,” he noted, underscoring the profound impact of their innovative product.

Source: techcrunch.com