Our ears give us access to the wonderful world of sounds. Hearing is crucial and connects people all over the world. Hearing enables us to communicate with other people and enjoy social activities. The ability to hear is such an integral part of life that most people take it for granted. Hearing is a gift, but do we place enough value on it?

Hear the World is an initiative by Phonak that aims to raise awareness of the topic of hearing and hearing loss and to promote good hearing all over the world. The goal of the Hear the World Initiative is to educate the general public about the importance of hearing, the social and emotional impacts and the benefits of available solutions for those with hearing loss.


To help people “hear the world”, Phonak created the Hear the World Foundation. Recognizing that quality of hearing significantly impacts quality of life, the foundation is committed to improving the well-being of people with hearing defects and to take advancing measures towards the prevention of hearing loss.

Official photographer Bryan Adams has captured the Hear the World Ambassadors with a cupped hand behind their ear to convey conscious hearing. The ambassadors include Annie Lennox, Mick Jagger, Amy Winehouse, Michael Buble, Lindsay Lohan, Placido, Common, Franka Potente, Joss Stone, Jerry Hall and many more.

Aston Hearing Services as part of the Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals network (AIHHP) is sponsoring the London leg of the Hear the World Ambassadors exhibition, which showcased at London’s Saatchi Gallery in July 2009. The exhibition has previously visited New York, Berlin and Zurich.

For more information on Hear the World visit http://www.hear-the-world.com/