[TurdFerguson]

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I've played with deaf players. No big deal at all. Of all the physical disabilities to have, hearing impairment is among the least problematic when playing poker.

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Ditto. Actually, of all the physical disabilities to have, I'd actually prefer to lack a sense of smell in some cardrooms or when sitting next to certain ripe regulars. Yikes! (Thank you, I'll be here all week -- try the veal!)

OP, last time I was in AC I played NL with (and ended up busting) a kid who none of us knew was deaf until he got up to leave. I assume that he was a very good lip reader, so as to be able to pick up bet sizes. In some rooms, such as the Trop in AC, which can get quite loud & boisterous sometimes, I'd think being deaf might be advantageous by way of being less distracted by outside stimuli. So if he's comfortable playing live, I say let him try it.