NEW YORK CITY — Kicking off Better Hearing and Speech Month on May 1st, Musician Bryan Adams—the official photographer of the Hear the World initiative—introduced his photography collection of “Hear the World Ambassadors” in an interactive exhibit.

Hear the World is a global initiative raising awareness about the importance of good hearing and the impact of hearing loss. For the Hear the World exhibit, Adams photographed several notable musicians including Mick Jagger, Amy Winehouse, Plácido Domingo, Joss Stone, Lindsay Lohan, Annie Lennox, Michael Bublé, and many others. Each image features a celebrity ambassador in a conscious pose of “hearing.”

Because music is a universal language that goes beyond geographical, social and linguistic boundaries, it is the chosen medium to spread the message of Hear the World. The initiative was launched in 2006 by Phonak. As part of the initiative, the Hear the World Foundation was set up to provide support to those with hearing loss around the world. 

“I’m excited to lend my support to such an important cause,” says Adams. “As a musician, I’m naturally sympathetic to an initiative dedicated to helping people appreciate and preserve an individual’s sense of sound. I hope this exhibit helps to remind people of the tremendous value of their hearing.”

To make the Hear the World Ambassadors exhibit a “listening experience,” the exhibit also featured interactive sound elements, such as a sound art installation in which visitors can participate. Additionally, visitors were able to screen their hearing at free testing stations located throughout the venue.

The exhibit is open free to the public for 2 weeks in New York’s Meatpacking District at 413-415 W 14th Street. After it closes in New York, the Hear the World Ambassadors exhibit will travel to Berlin and Zurich. The photos will be auctioned off online at www.hear-the-world.com/exhibition, with the net proceeds going to the Hear the World Foundation. Visitors to the Web site will also be able to test their hearing via an online hearing test.

“Bryan has devoted a tremendous amount of time – and talent – to help Hear the World raise awareness about the issue of hearing loss,” said Valentin Chapero, CEO of Phonak. “We’re lucky to have him as a partner in our efforts. It’s our hope that the public will find the exhibit enjoyable, informative, and engaging.”

In addition to his work with Hear the World, Adams has photographed individuals from around the globe. Adams’s work has been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar and his own magazine, Zoo.

About Better Hearing and Speech Month. In recognition of Better Hearing and Speech Month, Hear the World is also sponsoring free hearing screenings in markets around the United States throughout the month of May.

• Miami – Thursday, May 15 – the Mayor of Miami, Matti Bower, will proclaim Hear the World Day and encourage residents to visit the Hear the World screening site on 16th Street & Lincoln Road
• Seattle – Saturday, May 17 – Hear the World will help the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum celebrate Family Day by hosting free hearing screenings outside the museum on 5th Avenue
• Houston – Monday, May 19 – Mayor Bill White will proclaim May 19 Hear the World Day for the city of Houston; the Hear the World screening site will be located in Downtown Houston on Travis Street, between Preston & Congress
• San Diego – Wednesday, May 28 – The San Diego Padres will host Hear the World at Petco Park to conduct screenings outside of the ball park prior to that evening’s game
• Denver – Friday, May 30 – Hear the World will host free screenings on Tremont Street, near the 16th Street outdoor mall.

Source: Phonak