I have bad hearing on one side, probably from standing near machines all my life. A lot of times, my wife will be talking to me and I can hear her but I can't make out the words. So I just insert generic responses at intervals timed to the rhythm of her chatter....like "uh huh, sure....It wasn't me....I did not.... you're crazy....how much did it cost?..." It seems to work. I read that communication is key to a successful relationship.