He has a HEARING LOSS!! It was highly publicized while he was still in office that he wore hearing aids in both ears at that time. This was part of Robin's news 2013. He was relatively young for being fitted for hearing aids and it spurred some of the more elderly folks who were stubborn about not getting them to go for it. Guess Robin forgot. Howard oblivious.
Clinton to Get Hearing Aids for Both Ears
October 04, 1997

WASHINGTON — In a sign of his advancing age--as well as too many hours of band practice in his youth--President Clinton was fitted Friday with hearing aids for both ears, his physicians announced.
The news that Clinton's high-frequency hearing deficiency, a longtime medical problem for him, has worsened to the point that he needs hearing aids was seen by some as emblematic of the maturing of the first baby boomer president, and of his generation.