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Monday

To reach others in the deaf community, stand-up comedian D.J. Demers is often joined on stage by a sign language interpreter. Jennifer Lees (left) has interpreted many of his performances including the 2024 All Access Comedy Show in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Stand-up comedian D.J. Demers is hard of hearing. To reach others in the deaf community, his shows often include a sign language interpreter. Jennifer Lees (left) has interpreted many of his shows. Chris Smith/Halifax Comedy Fest hide caption

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Chris Smith/Halifax Comedy Fest

Culture

Comic D.J. Demers jokes a lot about hearing loss — but won't be 'the hearing aid guy'

Demers was diagnosed with hearing loss when he was 4 years old. As a kid, he saw nothing funny about it — but then he learned to make people laugh. He just dropped his fourth stand-up special.

Comic D.J. Demers jokes a lot about hearing loss — but won't be 'the hearing aid guy'

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Saturday

France Encourages Use Of Transparent Masks To Help Those With Hearing Loss

Suzy Margueron (seated, center) who advocates for people with hearing loss, likes to gather with friends in Paris' Luxembourg Gardens. All have transparent masks, but say it's others who should be wearing them too. Eleanor Beardsley/NPR hide caption

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Eleanor Beardsley/NPR

The Coronavirus Crisis

France Encourages Use Of Transparent Masks To Help Those With Hearing Loss

Some 10% of the population is hard of hearing. The government is helping companies cover costs of making see-through masks. "It's a protection, but it's also a communication tool," says an official.

France Encourages Use Of Transparent Masks To Help Those With Hearing Loss

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  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/914351650/917014391" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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