Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and ex-wife Jerry Hall became the latest in a long line of celebrities to be photographed by singer Bryan Adams. This event created awareness for people affected with hearing loss and is part of the Hear the World campaign. Bryan Adams is the official photographer for the cause, and has also taken pictures of Michael Buble, Lindsay Lohan, Annie Lennox, Smokey Robinson, Joss Stone and Amy Winehouse.

Celebrities pose with their hand behind an ear to convey an attempt to hear.

Many of these celebrities are no strangers to helping the needy. Jerry Hall recently auctioned off her wedding dress for the Emmaus charity for the homeless.

Hear the World, a global initiative, educates people about the importance of protecting one’s hearing, the social and emotional issues of hearing loss, as well as solutions and preventative measures.

Adams is very interested in what Hear the World is trying to achieve. “As a musician, I am very sympathetic to a cause dedicated to help people appreciate the preserve and individual’s sense of sound”, he said.

Studies have shown that in the UK alone, one in seven people experience some degree of hearing loss, and how hearing loss can impact your social, emotional and physical wellbeing.

The photographs are published in the Hear the World magazine, a quarterly publications devoted to the culture of hearing. You can order a copy or subscribe to the magazine at www.hear-the-world.com.

Proceeds of the magazine goes to the Hear the World foundation, which supports charitable organizations and projects focused on helping hearing impaired people.

The German government has been creating regulations to stop music concerts and other public events from creating too much noise. While in the past the duration of an event determined the level of noise allowed, there is now one set level for all: 135 dB. Should this level be exceeded, guests should be told about the risk to their hearing.

Earlier, events with a noise level of 95 dB had a maximum of two hours’ duration; events with a noise level of 102 dB had a one hour limitation. These days, there are new regulations and time duration is no longer a factor. This means event co-ordinators have a new role to play by informing the audience of the possibility that their hearing may be affected, either through a public address system or by handing out pamphlets at the entrance and ticket office. This should happen as soon as the noise levels reach 85 dB. When noise levels reach or exceed 95 dB, guests should have the option to wear hearing protection such as earplugs. All guests should be told about this requirement and event co-ordinators are encouraged to use loudspeaker announcements or illuminated signs in the venue.

These new regulations were introduced in November 2007 and disallows noise levels over 135 dB. This applies to concerts, night clubs, theatres, cinemas as well as any other public event.

The guidelines are advisory, but because the courts allow them, everyone should follow it. Music venue operators have to comply with the guidelines and should only use loudspeakers and sound systems that have built-in limiters to prevent noise.

Hidden Hearing has recently launched the Oticon Mini, the latest, groundbreaking hearing device from Oticon. The design of the Oticon Mini is aimed at cosmetic appeal and performance. This small device is ideal for those in search of a discreet hearing aid. It is available in a range of trendy colours to match either your skin or hair, and is almost completely invisible behind your ear.

Users of the Mini have been very pleased with the results, boasting that this latest design offer higher levels of comfort and sound clarity. This unique design allows the ear canal to be left open and the small amplifier is extremely light on the ear.

For more information on the new Oticon Mini, visit your nearest Hidden Hearing Centre and take a free hearing test. Our expert Hearing Aid Audiologist will be able to prescribe the most suited hearing device for you.

Major new research has shown that if you’ve been a smoker or are over-weight, then you may face a bigger risk of losing your hearing, especially as you get older.

So what’s good for the heart could be good for the ears. If you’re concerned about your own hearing, or that of someone close to you, you can get a full hearing check-up without charge at one of the country’s leading hearing care centres. The research was funded by RNID, the charity for deaf and hard of hearing people, and is one of the largest ever studies into risk factors for hearing loss. Over 4,000 people aged between 53 and 67 took part, involving nine audiological centres in seven European countries. For more information about RNID visit http://www.rnid.org.uk The research found that people who smoked regularly for more than one year had worse hearing than those who had never smoked, and that the more you smoke (more years or more packs per day) the greater the hearing loss. So you’re not just doing damage to your heart and lungs when you smoke, you could be damaging your hearing too. A healthier lifestyle means healthier hearing.

Why wait?

Just as people get their eyes tested and teeth checked regularly, hearing is no less important. For most people, hearing loss is just normal wear and tear and one more fact of life. The good news is that help is possible for those who choose to find it. Once you do start to lose your hearing, you can make up for the loss by using various types of hearing aid. And what you really need is lifetime care, to check and monitor your hearing regularly, so that any device you’re using to help your hearing is exactly right for you and is working correctly all the time to its maximum performance. To help people who care about their hearing and want to have a thorough check-up, Hidden Hearing has produced a free information pack that tells you everything you need to know about buying a hearing aid.

Hearing facts

• One in five people over the age of 55 has difficulty hearing.

• One in two people over the age of 65 has difficulty hearing.

• The average person with sight problems waits 3 years before seeking help.

• The average person with hearing problems waits 15 years before seeking help.

• One in 10 adults in the UK would benefit from wearing a hearing aid, but only one in 30 has one.

To get your FREE information pack and your FREE hearing check, contact us or call FREE on 0800 515 349.