Legato, a startup founded by Bose veterans Mehul Trivedi and Steve Romine, has emerged from stealth with $12 million in funding to launch AI-powered hearing glasses.

The product, called Legato Frames, integrates hearing assistance into the arms of standard eyewear, targeting the large population of adults with mild to moderate hearing loss who currently avoid traditional hearing aids.

The founders drew on experience from Bose, where Trivedi created Bose Frames and Romine ran the hearing aid division, as well as from EssilorLuxottica and Audicus.

The glasses use a proprietary acoustic system and signal-processing stack, along with an AI system that differentiates background noise from voices, amplifying only speech to reduce cognitive load.

They feature an open-ear design with dual speakers that direct sound to the wearer while canceling leakage, so sound does not broadcast to others.

The frames are designed to look like normal glasses, with no visible controls, aiming to reduce stigma and increase adoption.

Launch is planned for fall, initially through select eye-care providers, and the company plans to price them at a fraction of traditional hearing aids, potentially qualifying for vision insurance coverage.

The startup highlights the broader health benefits of better hearing, including reduced risks of dementia and depression.

Funding comes from Neot Ventures, Listen, and Village Global, with proceeds supporting product development and marketing.