Sometimes when I go out I pretend to be medically deaf

I don’t do it all the time—just when it’s convenient. For example an overly enthusiastic teen charity worker or some guy at the bus stop. I’ve also discovered it’s great using it whenever someone gets angry at an elbow or a shove in the tube. I just let a little grunt and moan “Sorry” in a way that’s barely intelligible and nasally whilst doing a butchered hand gesture that I’m hoping means sorry. The real challenge though is keeping a straight face when someone panics and starts speaking slower and louder as if that’s going to help. Cracking up the decibels isn’t gonna suddenly make me hear again. Well I can hear but you get what I mean. Sometimes this has backfired on me when I forget I have my AirPods plugged in or I accidentally answer a phone call in the deceived presence. Then it’s not so funny anymore. Sorry to all the deaf people reading this, I’m not sure if this is some sort of appropriation but this has made my life easier in many ways and whilst I do understand the struggle behind it I do appreciate the pros involved. Thank you.