Life is on … Getting Closer With D.J. Demers

“Comedy kinda chose me,” said D.J. Demers. “I got on stage when I was 21, and that first laugh hooked me in!”

As an award-winning, stand-up comedian, D.J. appeared on season 11 of “America’s Got Talent.” He has performed stand-up on Conan twice, and he was the winner of the 2014 Homegrown Comics Competition. In 2017, D.J. Demers toured the U.S. on the Phonak-sponsored Here to Hear Comedy Tour. He also received a Juno Award nomination for Comedy Album of the Year.

Oh, and D.J. wears Phonak Naída B hearing aids.

We had the opportunity to sit down with D.J. at AAA 2018 after his “Let’s Get Closer” Facebook Live chat. With an easy-going personality and quick wit, D.J. talked about comedy, inspiration and hearing aids.

Where do you find inspiration for your comedy routine?

D.J.:People and life. I’m also inspired by my favorite comedians — like David Chappelle, Sarah Silverman — and hanging out with my friends.

What’s your favorite sound?

D.J.: The ones you can write about [smile]. … The sound of snow crunching under feet. Drumming. Cat purring. That’s a good one. I like cats, but because I tour so much, it wouldn’t be fair to have one.

Were you entertaining as a child?

D.J.:I don’t know, but my best friend reminded me recently of when we were going to a baseball tournament as kids, and I was entertaining the bus.

What do you wish hearing care professionals would understand about their patients?

D.J.:  The first three months of getting new hearing aids makes my brain kinda crazy. It needs to relearn the sounds. This doesn’t show up on an audiogram or any piece of equipment. This is just how I learn. It takes time for my brain to adapt, so they should trust me when I say things sound differently than what’s showing up on the equipment.

Did you go to school for comedy or take classes?

D.J.: I went to the School of Hard Knocks [smile]. … No, seriously, I went to college for business, but I didn’t take comedy classes. I just went to every open mic there was to find out what was funny and to find my voice.

During the Here to Hear tour, you mentioned not wanting to be known just as the “hearing aid guy”…

D.J.: I put being “the hearing aid guy” out there, and it stuck. I’m not ashamed of my hearing aids or wearing them, but I am more than just the hearing aids … I want to go beyond it. Of course, I still address my hearing aids because people would become too focused on them during my set.

What advice do you have for people who find themselves needing hearing aids for the first time?

D.J.:  I try to have a positive outlook on life. Recently, I found myself playing golf with a group of older gentlemen. I noticed one of the golfers was wearing hearing aids. So, I was joking around with him pointing to mine, but he wasn’t having anything to do with it.

Having a positive attitude helps when it gets hard. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true [smile]. You have a tendency to get depressed, but you have to let yourself know you will be okay. Being in that moment, just let yourself know it will get better. You can have a positive outlook on hearing loss.

What do you like the most about your Phonak hearing instruments?

D.J.: They all have such great features. First, I love the Naida hearing aids. With my ComPilot, I can walk around listening to music. And, my Roger Pen with the directional microphone is great for hearing in noise.

Do you find yourself as a role model?

D.J.: If I was a kid who saw a comic who wore hearing aids on Conan O’Brien, I would think that was pretty cool as a 10-year-old boy. I went into comedy because I like being funny. But, I know I have a direct impact on people. It’s weird being an advocate, but it’s also cool.