While I don't have a prothesis, I do have a hearing aid and a mild (I'm told) monotone sounding voice. My hair is quite long now, and as a kid I definitely wore it down as much as possible to hide my hearing aid.
I haven't had anyone ever tell me that my hearing was a deal breaker, but it does impact my interactions to some degree. When I have to take it out because of where I am (ie water sports) it significantly impacts my ability to be social, and if that is where I meet people their perception of my abilities will be different than if they are interacting with me 1 on 1 in a quiet controlled by me setting.
I read lips, and so because of this I often look directly at people's faces for extended periods of times. It make some people uncomfortable, especially if they are mumblers.
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Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna
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