What brings Annie Lennox, Mick Jagger and Amy Winehouse under one roof? Answer, the Hear the World Ambassadors photography exhibition by leading hearing system manufacturer Phonak in cooperation with musician and photographer Bryan Adams, which is being sponsored by the Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals (AIHHP).

AIHHP is sponsoring the London leg of the Hear the World Ambassadors exhibition, which will be showcased at London’s Saatchi Gallery and is open free to the public from 22nd to 24th July 2009. The exhibition has previously visited New York, Berlin and Zurich.

Bryan Adams has taken a series of exclusive photographs of renowned personalities for Hear the World, a global initiative which raises awareness about the importance of hearing and the impact of hearing loss, which was launched by Phonak in 2006. As official photographer, Bryan Adams captured each of the celebrity supporters with a hand cupped behind their ear to convey conscious hearing.

Richard Moss, Chairman of AIHHP says says: “In the UK, people struggle with hearing loss for an average of 15 years before seeking advice, despite there being many solutions available that could make a significant difference to their lives. The Hear the World initiative is addressing this problem by providing support and raising awareness about hearing loss on a global scale.”

To celebrate their involvement in the campaign and encourage people in the UK to have their hearing tested regularly, participating members of AIHHP will be offering complimentary hearing assessments throughout July and August 2009. For more information visit www.aihhp.org/heartheworld.

“I’m excited to lend my support to such an important cause,” said 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.”

Over 800 million people worldwide, more than 16 percent of the world’s population, have hearing loss and the number is expected to increase to 1.1 billion by 2015. In the UK the number of people with hearing loss is estimated at 8.5 million. Studies have shown that untreated hearing loss can have a significantly negative effect on a person’s social, emotional and physical wellbeing.

More information about the exhibition is available from www.hear-the-world.com/exhibition.