ZURICH.- Bryan Adams, famous musician and official photographer of Hear the World, an initiative by Phonak, introduced the «Hear the World Ambassadors» photography collection Tuesday evening in Zurich. Adams photographed world-famous musicians such as Mick Jagger, Annie Lennox and Rod Stewart in an iconic hearing pose exclusively for Hear the World. Numerous Swiss celebrities from show business, the art world and the world of business joined Bryan Adams and the approximately 500 invited guests at the grand opening. Following successful exhibitions in New York and Berlin, the collection will be on display at PULS 5 in Zurich-West from September 24-28, 2008. Hear the World is a global Phonak initiative to raise awareness about the importance of good hearing and the impact of hearing loss. Approximately 500 million people around the world suffer from hearing loss.

Together with Valentin Chapero, CEO of Sonova Holding AG (which includes the main brand Phonak), Adams opened the Zurich exhibition and reaffirmed his commitment to Hear the World. «As a musician, I’m naturally sympathetic to an initiative dedicated to helping people appreciate and preserve an individual’s sense of sound,» said Adams. «I hope that our exhibit will help remind people of the tremendous value of their hearing.»

«Bryan has devoted a tremendous amount of time and talent to the initiative,» said Chapero, when thanking Adams for his invaluable contribution. «He has helped us to bring the Hear the World message to as many people as possible. We’re lucky to have him as a partner. His photos are helping us get our initiative ’heard.’ With the Hear the World campaign we are assuming social responsibility as the industry leader, while helping to increase understanding of the importance of good hearing and the impact of hearing loss.»

«After having my own hearing loss diagnosed a year ago, I became acutely aware of the importance of the ability to hear,» said Kurt Aeschbacher, a Swiss Hear the World ambassador who moderated the grand opening. «I felt compelled to support Hear the World.»

Portraits for a good cause
Bryan Adams has been the official Hear the World photographer since the start of the initiative. He photographed initiative ambassadors such as Harry Belafonte, Plácido Domingo and Joss Stone cupping their ear, in a conscious pose of hearing. The resulting images are fascinating portraits for the senses that are now on display in Zurich from September 24 to 28 after being exhibited in New York and Berlin.