Abstract: The invention relates to a wear detection system (10) and to a method for detecting wear, in particular for friction elements, such as brushes, friction linings, brake linings, lubrication pieces or the like, comprising at least one consumable friction element and a transponder unit (11), wherein the transponder unit can communicate wirelessly with a transmitter-receiver unit (12), the wear detection system comprising a shielding device, the shielding device being configured in such a manner that the transponder unit can be at least partially shielded by means of the shielding device as a function of a wear condition of the friction element, such that communication between the transponder unit and the transmitter-receiver unit can be influenced.