[quote=@Raineh Daze]
[@BurningDaisies] A mute character would be more trouble than it's worth. Playing it in a way that it's relevant but not ignored by default, both in the sense of being understood and contributing, is more or less impossible. 
[/quote]

Granted, it [i]is[/i] difficult at times to strike a realistic balance in trying to communicate effectively in-character. I don't believe portraying the deafness in a meaningful way and having the character contribute to the narrative is impossible. It's been done in literature before.

Or is your concern that it would be a persistent hurdle to verbal communications that could never be truly overcome? And because it has the potential to disrupt teamwork?