An older man was living for his wife for over 30 years, and was getting concerned because he thought she had gone deaf.

He went to the doctor and said "I really think my wife might be deaf. Over half the times I ask her questions, she doesn't even seem to notice." The doctor says "Okay, I have a test you can do to see if she is really deaf. Tomorrow, stand about 40 feet away from your wife and ask her a question. If she doesn't answer, move 10 feet closer and try again. Keep moving in 10 feet until she answers you."

The next day the man decides to try it. As his wife is cooking dinner, he stands 40 feet away and asks "What's for dinner?" No reply. He moves in 10 feet and asks again, and again, no reply.
He asks from 20 feet away, still no reply. Finally, from ten feet away, he asks what's for dinner, and his wife replies "I already told you three times, we're having chicken."