26 July 2005 - 5 March 2006

The results of an innovative project to radically re-think the future of hearing, Hearwear displays designs and prototypes by some of the UK's best designers, including Ross Lovegrove, Priestman Goode, Industrial Facility and IDEO. The display will show how fashionably designed 'hearwear' can be as desirable and accessible as 'eyewear', and will change the way people think about hearing.

Hearwear suggests revolutionary new possibilities in hearing products for everyone, not just people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and introduces the possibility of new products to allow everyone to control and enhance the sounds around us. Imagine having a remote control you could use to instantly block out the sound of noisy builders or a screaming child; or a product that allows you to hold a clear conversation in a noisy bar. The display includes stylish and attractive hearing products, some almost like jewellery, that people not only need but will really want to wear.

The Hearwear display shows how revolutionary thinking about hearing could be reflected in exciting new product designs and highlights the massive potential for industry to create innovative, stylish and desirable hearing products which, if they were available on the high street, millions of people would want to purchase and use.

Developed by RNID and the magazine Blueprint with brand consultancy Wolff Olins in association with the V&A.