When you can't hear...

...you smile a lot. Not a cool, sexy, confident, "I'm-enjoying-life" smile.

It's a doofus smile. 

You smile because you can't really think of anything else to do or say. You totally missed the conversation, not just once, but several times. And when the hairdresser looks you in the eye and raises her eyebrows at you, you cannot help but smile that silly, dimwitted smile. And, as if that's not enough, you add that goofy nod of your head. Yep. You're a doofus.

"I'm almost totally deaf without my cochlear implant," you tell her, and the almost-conversation ends abruptly. Sitting in near silence for an hour and a half while she colors and cuts your hair is an exercise in patience. You know she wants to talk because she awkwardly converses with the client in the next chair. Then she comes to stand in front of you and asks a question of you --- perhaps for the first, or maybe the fourth time.

And what do you do?

You smile. And you nod your head.