As retold by Bruce Lowitt

Morris was convinced that his wife was getting deaf.  She refused to go to an audiologist, so he asked the doctor what could be done.

"Start at the door of the room.  Say something in a normal tone of voice. 

If she doesn't respond, move a little closer, still using a normal tone of voice. And so on, until she responds. That should tell you just how deaf she is."

That night, as his wife was doing the dishes, Morris stood on the other side of the kitchen and said, "Sweetheart, can you hear me?"

No response.

He moved a few steps closer and repeated, "Sweetheart, can you hear me?"

Again, no response.

He moved within a few feet of her and, for the third time, said  "Sweetheart, can you hear me?"

His wife turned around and said, "Morris! For the third time, yes, I heard you!"