Legato starts selling hearing-assistance glasses from $999

Legato began selling its hearing-assistance glasses Thursday, starting at $999 for adults with up to moderate hearing loss. Legato Frames are available through its website and select US eye care providers, where they are eligible for vision insurance coverage. The glasses distinguish voices from background noise and amplify speech. Legato says processing happens on the glasses, without cameras or recording. A dual-speaker system directs sound toward the wearer while canceling escaping sound. The frames weigh 34 grams with lenses, offer 10-12 hours of battery life and support prescription lenses and Bluetooth music and calls. The launch follows the startup's emergence from stealth a few weeks earlier with $12 million in funding.