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June 8, 2017Deaf singer wows on ‘America’s Got Talent’
Mandy Harvey, a singer with hearing loss, wowed judges with her perfectly pitched vocals on the reality TV show, ‘America’s Got Talent,’ on Tuesday.
Harvey, who lost her hearing about 10 years ago due to degenerative ear disease, was awarded the “Golden Buzzer” after her performance that received a standing ovation and hug from judge Simon Cowell.
“I’ve done this a long time and that was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen and heard,” Simon said.
“…that was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen and heard”
Harvey said she’s been singing since age four but stopped singing for a while after she lost her hearing. Harvey lost her residual hearing in 2006-2007 due to a connective tissue disorder that effected her nerves, according to her website.
“After I lost my hearing I gave up, but I want to do more with my life than just give up,” she told the judges.
To sing with her hearing loss, Harvey says she relies on muscle memory using visual tuners. She has also learned to trust her pitch. During her performance, she stood on stage without her shoes on in order to feel the music’s tempo through the vibrations.
Read more: How hearing rehabilitation can help deaf musicians
She performed an original song called ‘Try,’ which inspired Simon to award her with the Golden Buzzer. Each judge can only press the Golden Buzzer once each season. The act sends the deaf singer straight to the live shows.
Follow Harvey’s journey on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ which airs in the U.S. on Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
