“What’s that behind your ear?” my customer asked me curiously as I placed her items in a bag. I immediately stiffened up at the suddenness of the question, then relaxed again just as quickly. “Oh, it’s a hearing aid,” I replied with a smile. The customer looked directly at me, frozen on the spot. I knew she hadn't expected that answer, and her face spelled out shock, confusion, and embarrassment. “Oh I’m sorry…” she began to say, before tailing off into an inaudible whisper. I smiled at her again. “That will be £23.86 altogether, please.” She handed some cash over,