You were partially deaf, to be specific you were extremely hard of hearing. You wore a hearing aid, and in case it died you and Soap had other ways to speak.

During a mission, you heard the faint beep and then silence. The aid died. You sighed, annoyed.

“Aw, now who’ll listen to me be a complain?” Soap groaned, but was still obviously concerned so he took position on your right and stuck close.