D.J. Demers: Breaking Barriers in Comedy with a Unique Deaf Perspective

D.J. Demers is hard of hearing. His shows often include a sign language interpreter. Jennifer Lees has interpreted many of his performances.
Chris Smith/Halifax Comedy Fest

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Chris Smith/Halifax Comedy Fest

Stand-up comedian D.J. Demers uses his hearing loss as material for his acts. Without hearing aids, he is considered deaf. He jokes about the challenges, saying, “I’m very easy to murder” at sketchy hotels. His hearing aids are not waterproof, which makes pool parties difficult: “I’m not very good at Marco Polo.” As a new dad, he finds parenthood generally calm, attributing some of the support to his “disability.”

Struggles with Hearing Loss

Demers was diagnosed with hearing loss at age four. He avoided jokes about it while growing up. He hidden his hearing aids and felt the need to change them privately during recess. Eventually, he realized humor helped him connect with others and overcome ridicule.

Winning the “Homegrown Comics” competition at Just For Laughs Festival in 2014 launched his career. He has performed on Conan, The Tonight Show, and America’s Got Talent. He also created a sitcom for CBC and filmed four specials, including Azoospermia, focused on his and his wife’s journey to conceive.

Adding Sign Language Interpretation

After years of performing for hearing audiences, Demers recognized the importance of having a sign language interpreter. He hired Jennifer Lees, who noted a gap in comedy for the deaf community. She expressed the need for deaf audiences to enjoy comedy with accessibility.

Lees has found Demers’ material relatable, especially his jokes about lip reading difficulties during the pandemic. She appreciates his insight into communication challenges faced by the deaf and hard of hearing.

Finding His Voice

Demers initially hesitated to center his comedy on his disability but later acknowledged its humorous aspects. His perspective evolved with fatherhood as he observes his child’s view of his hearing loss.

D.J. Demers considers the balance between being labeled “the hearing aid guy” and exploring a wider range of comedy topics. 
Ramy Arida/D.J. Demers

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Ramy Arida/D.J. Demers

Demers avoids being labeled as “the hearing aid guy.” A substantial part of his material addresses topics unrelated to disability. He shares experiences about social media, speed walking, and infertility. He feels pressure within the growing stand-up scene to define and stick to a niche. In his words, “I have to explore more beyond it just to be artistically fulfilled.” Demers is set to make his second appearance on The Tonight Show on Nov. 26, followed by a tour in the U.S.

Jennifer Vanasco edited this story. Chloee Weiner mixed the audio.