The first artists have met the challenge!

June 2011

One out of ten people in Québec have some level of hearing loss. The Fondation Groupe Forget launched the En Action sans Audition challenge to raise public awareness about the importance of hearing. Several performing artists from the province of Québec will try to do their regular activities while experiencing a simulated moderate hearing loss. Alfa Rococo, Dominic Paquet, Tocadéo and Trois gars su’l sofa were the first to face the challenge.

Hearing loss often leads to a feeling of isolation. “We didn’t have any reference points. We felt alone in the world. It was really scary to sing,” acknowledged Benoit Biron of Tocadéo after the challenge. “If I had such hearing loss, I would really feel apart from the group,” said Nicola Morel of 3 gars su’l sofa.

For Alfa Rococo, the hardest part was respecting the musical subtleties that define their style.

Dominic Paquet was also very impressed by the experience: “It’s unbelievable! I would have a hard time living like that. If I lost my hearing tomorrow, it wouldn’t bother me at all to wear a hearing aid.”

Several years ago, the international artistic community saw the birth of the Hear The World initiative. Directed by Bryan Adams, several celebrity musicians—including Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Sting and Michael Buble—posed for pictures to raise awareness about the importance of hearing. Indeed, without hearing there wouldn’t be any music, theatre, movies or comedy shows.

Today, the Fondation Groupe Forget is continuing the project with a Québec twist. Stay tuned for more artists.

The Fondation Groupe Forget is a non-profit organization with a mission to improve life for people with hearing loss and to educate the public on the difficulties hearing loss creates for daily life.