With the brand new deaf mutation released, it seems like a good time to talk about adding in partly deaf, aka hearing impaired, lions! Like the deaf mutation, there would be no need to change the art. However, there are several things that could separate the deaf and hearing impaired mutations.

1. The mutation might be discovered up later in life. Why? The lion can still hear, just not as well. So it might take the pride a little while to catch onto the fact that the cub's hearing isn't perfect. They can still (obviously) communicate with the pride, but the pride might have to raise their voice for the cub to properly hear them. Or, for ease of programming, it could be discovered at birth.

2. It wouldn't be as lethal, or wouldn't be lethal at all. Since the lion does indeed have the ability to hear, the chance of dying would be significantly decreased. However, if there was no chance of death, it might end up overshadowing the deaf mutation as it would be a safer option. So the best solution I can think of is that the lion should have a chance of dying, but the chance is lower than for a deaf lion.

3. The lion could still be allowed to hunt or lead the pride. That being said, it this would make the deaf mutation seem worse or useless in comparison, this could be changed. However, I would argue that a hearing impaired lion would still be able to go about their life normally. Maybe females would have a slightly higher rate of failure when hunting, and males might find fewer items when patrolling.

4. Different flavor text! Most of these are inspired by my childhood (I am hearing impaired, from birth). Sorry its so long, obviously only a few would get selected.
Examples when the lion is a cub/adolescent:
"You had to call Cub several times to get their attention. Silly Cub."
"Cub always seems to yell when they talk, you have a conversation with them about it. Cub apologizes, but you hear them mutter under their breath that they weren't being loud."
"While you and Cub were talking, they gave you a funny look. Confused, you to talk and discover Cub misheard you. You make a note to repeat yourself in a louder, clearer voice whenever Cub looks confused."
"You watch as Cub is sitting by themselves. Another cub sneaks up on them, making some noise as they approach. Cub seems surprised when the other cub ambushes them. How did Cub not hear the other cub approach?"
"Other cubs don't let Cub hang out with them as often, because Cub doesn't always listen when they call. When you talk to Cub, they are confused. They always join the others when they hear their name. Hmmm..."
"The other cubs make fun of Cub for talking too loud." Alternatives for this sentence:
"The other cubs make fun of Cub for misunderstanding them so often."
"The other cubs make fun of Cub for not hearing them when they called out."

For when the mutation is discovered:
"You talked to your pride and came to the same conclusion. Cub is not a normal cub, they can't hear as well as the others."
"You talk to the other cubs about how Cub can't hear as well. They immediately assume Cub can't hear at all and start talking about them. Cub looks hurt. You keep explaining that Cub can hear, just not as well. You doubt the cubs understand, but they will have to learn."

Examples when the lion is an adult/adolescent:
"Even though Cub has been a part of your pride for a while, sometimes you forget they can't hear as well. Cub says that its okay, they understand."
"You overhear Cub explaining how they can't hear as well to a new litter of cubs."
"One day you notice that if you call for Cub and they don't hear, someone else will give them a nudge. Cub seems to appreciate this."
"Sometimes when Cub gets really excited they start to yell again, like when they were a cub. All it takes is a reminder to be a little quieter and Cub quiets down."


Let me know what you think!