‘Big Brother’s’ Matt Klotz in tears over hearing disability, says constant whispering ‘takes a toll’

Emotions always run high in the “Big Brother” house, but one contestant became increasingly distraught throughout the past week as his disability had a swelling impact on his game. Matt Klotz, a 27-year old swimmer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, broke down in tears while whispers swirled throughout the house. But it wasn’t because of the lies and backstabbing going on, it was because he simply couldn’t hear.

The first deaf player in “BB” history grew agitated on Thursday’s episode when his alliance was hashing out plans in the bathroom. Although he’s not completely deaf, Matt needs hearing aids to pick up any noise from regular conversation. He explained whispering sounds like nothing more than “hard breathing,” and after dealing with it for 72 days it had taken its toll.

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“In the real world people know not to whisper around me,” he confessed in the diary room. “It’s super offensive and the number one thing not to do around someone that’s deaf or hard of hearing. It’s hard in this house. That’s what 80 percent of the game is.” He adds that everything sounds “muffled” and “maybe you hear a word or two.” Despite being able to read lips in one-on-one conversations, inside the house “there’s a lot of head turning in the moment and when someone does that I go off track and give up.”

SEE Cameron Hardin (‘Big Brother 25’) exit interview: Cirie’s advice he wishes he took and why his eviction was ‘all on me’

Up in the HOH room, Matt told Jag Bains, “I’m at the point where I’m just pissed at the whispering right now. I just hate it.” After a few seconds of silence, tears welled up in his eyes as he uttered, “It’s a lot.” Jag put his arm around his friend, encouraging him by saying, “You’re doing a good job, man. Especially in a house of whispers.” Matt responded, “It just takes a toll,” while wiping tears away.

Later Matt spoke with Felicia Cannon about his struggles as well. “It was one of those days where you start off a little weird,” he confessed. “This has been harder than I thought. Whispering around a deaf person is really offensive in the real world.” Felicia responded, “You don’t know what you’ve accomplished. You’ve become a voice for a whole community. Look at you! You opened a window of opportunity. Everybody that you know is proud of you.”

Matt currently leads Gold Derby’s odds to win Season 25 of the CBS reality TV competition series. At stake is a $750,000 cash prize. Matt’s closest ally, Jag, is currently in second place followed by America Lopez, Cirie Fields and Cory Wurtenberger.

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