I had an ear infection (both ears) last year and after struggling with it and thru two doctors, I was referred to a specialist. By that time, the infection was gone, but I had ringing in both ears. Doctor told me that they couldn't do anything for the ringing (I knew that going in) and since my hearing loss was only slight I didn't need hearing aides yet unless I wanted them. I thought about for a minute or so, and told him no thank you.

If I had gotten the hearing aides my excuse for not answering people I wish to ignore would have gone away. Sometimes being hard of hearing (or pretending to be), is the right course of action.