I also worked a few years as a "sales associate" (retail guy) at RadioShack.

I don't think these two mix well in practice. People are moody, in a rush, and don't generally have accessibility or the needs of others in mind when going to a store.

Trying to communicate when you're also trying to convince someone to give you money is paramount. Any hiccups and both sides get frustrated which just sours the whole thing.

This is more of a reflection on people than it is retail, deafness, etc. It's a terrible reality but it's reality.

It's a really, really tricky, touchy and all around uncomfortable problem to solve.