Hartley couldn't hear the questions, not that he'd have known what to reply anyway. He was focused on working this out and then he finally put it back, only able to relax when he was sure it had slotted in right. The pain would last for a while longer, he knew that, but at least it'd stop getting worse. He leaned his forehead against the mattress and took a steadying breath. "I was born almost deaf. My parents had me fixed, the implants are expensive. I've to improvise to keep them going."