An elderly man, living near here, was quite concerned that his wife was loosing her hearing.

So he deliberately stood about 20 feet behind her and said, " Can you hear me sweetheart?"

There was no reply.

He moved to 10 feet and inquired again.

No response. 

So he moved to 5 feet, but still not a word of a reply.

A few inches behind her ear, he asked, " Can you hear me, my dear?"

His wife, somewhat startled, turned to him and rather sharply replied,

" For the fourth time, YES!!"