Deaf comedian D.J. Demers performed in the EndZone on Oct. 26 as a part of his “Here to Hear” tour. The tour consists of him performing a comedy routine based on his hearing loss and what it’s like to live with hearing aids.

Originally from Canada, Demers was featured on season 11 of “America’s Got Talent,” “Conan” in both 2014 and 2017 and won “Homegrown Comics Competition” in 2014.

Demers said during his performance that he has lived with severe hearing loss throughout his whole life. His frequent trips to the audiologist have become a part of his comedy routine, as he jokes about repeatedly failing his audio exam.

“I just heard two beeps with the hearing aids in,” Demers said. “I think we can extrapolate from that.”

The Gaels Activities Board and the Speech and Hearing Club co-sponsored the event.

Speech-language pathology and audiology majors were the most prevalent students in the audience.

“I learned a lot about the deaf culture and how they make light of their situation and never wish for sympathy,” freshman and speech-language pathology major Alissa Ravitch said. “[Demers] is a great influence and brings awareness to the deaf culture. I also feel like he brought awareness to the slight disconnect, because hearing people don’t always appreciate the blessings of hearing. They also often don’t think of the small things that are important, like hearing a fire alarm.”

The primary focus of the “Here to Hear” tour is to educate and connect the hearing and deaf community.

According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, 48 million Americans suffer from some degree of hearing loss. By the age of 65, 1 in 3 people will have some form of hearing loss and 3 out of every 1,000 newborns are born with noticeable hearing loss in one or both ears.

“The principal disconnect is the underestimation of how many people are dealing with hearing loss on a day-to-day basis,” Demers said. “That’s why education is so important.”

Freshman Brianna Mathalier said that she was exposed to the deaf community at a very young age when she went to elementary school with a deaf student.

“I believe that educating people from a young age could help solve the issue of the disconnect,” Mathalier said.

Demers gave advice for young people dealing with hearing loss.

“Advocate for yourself, don’t be ashamed of it, don’t be afraid to let people know what you are dealing with,” Demers said.

Hearing loss is the third most common condition, after arthritis and heart

disease. Demers used humor to bring to light tasks that are made harder when one is deaf, like hearing alarm clocks, attending swim parties with hearing aids that are susceptible to water damage, and dating with hearing aids.

Hearing aids are a first line of defense and have a high success rate, but because

they are so tailored to the user, the process for fitting can be long. Cochlear

implants are surgically implanted because they are suited to the auditory nerve

whereas hearing aids are worn on the ear. Different types of hearing assistant

devices are for different people and are based on their needs.

Demers does not see his hearing loss as a disability.

“I don’t ever really think about the struggles of being a deaf performer, it is what it is in my regular life,” Demer said. “In my comedy life it’s just something I deal with. The second I start to think of it as an impediment, I’m thinking of it in the wrong way. I do try to focus on the positives, not in a high in the sky way. Instead of focusing on it, I focus on what I can do to make the situation the best it can be.”

The “Here to Hear” tour started on Oct. 3 and runs until Nov. 2. The tour extends across 10 states and 22 college campuses. “Here to Hear” is sponsored by Phonak, a company that specializes in hearing care solutions. Phonak offers accessories for TV, devices for loud social settings and Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids.