Chicago Fire’s Most Heartbreaking S12 Storyline Is Inspired By Real Life

Summary:

• Chicago Fire is an NBC procedural drama that began airing in 2012.
• In the premiere episode of season 12, one of the show's regulars, Christopher Herrmann, is injured and begins to experience hearing loss.
• As it turns out, Herrmann's struggle was inspired by the real-life story of the actor who portrays him, David Eigenberg.

One of the things viewers love about Chicago Fire is the way the show doesn't shy away from exploring even the darkest topics in the lives of first responders. Strong and dedicated to their jobs, they remain just as vulnerable and real as anyone else, which makes fans root for them to succeed.

Unfortunately for longtime fans of the show, season 12 didn't begin on the most positive note. The news of Matt and Sylvie's engagement and Severide's return didn't help sweeten the abrupt departure of Alberto Rosende's Blake Gallo, as well as Herrmann's mysterious injury, which will likely be his way out of the Chicago Fire.

As concerned as everyone is about Herrmann's on-screen condition, not many people know that his struggles and reactions to the news are largely inspired by the path the actor who portrays him has had to take himself. David Eigenberg, who also wears hearing aids, understands Herrmann's emotions like no one else.

Is Chicago Fire’s David Eigenberg Deaf?

Though the actor didn't get into the details of his condition, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Eigenberg explained how Herrmann's hearing aids were written into the show at his request. Though he had previously performed without them, his hearing began to require them on set, and the team found a way to write them in.

While the actor has come to terms with his condition, his Chicago Fire character still has a long way to go. In addition to worrying about his own health, Herrmann is also concerned about how the change will affect his performance as a first responder.

“It’s a vulnerability because you never know when your hearing starts to deteriorate, what the arc of that will be. Although they have one-eyed firefighters in Chicago, and they have firefighters with hearing loss and hearing aids, at a certain point, if you can’t keep yourself safe and other people safe, you can’t do the job,” he said.

Fortunately, the character has a strong enough support system to help him in his time of need. The biggest challenge would be to open up about the real fears the hearing loss has unleashed in him, but the first step of accepting help has already been taken.

If you are interested to find out how Herrmann deals with the trauma and finds inner peace with the change that was forced upon him, be sure to tune in to NBC every Wednesday to not miss another episode.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter