The Active Scrawler: Best deaf fictional characters

There are few deaf characters in fiction that are well know but when they are portrayed they are often portrayed rather well. The physical characteristic of deafness is sometimes explored in depth from the deaf person's perspective while sometimes only from those around them. In other instances there is almost no exploration of deafness at all and the character is who and what s/he is.

Personally, I like a little of each as all perspectives are interesting in their own way and enlightening. Having witnessed my grandfather going deaf over the years, struggling with those dang blasted ear pieces that don't pick up sounds properly (the grumbling continues), it does make me curious as to what life would be like for me if I get what he has. This also makes me wonder what life is like for those deaf from birth as well as those who care for them.

But enough of curiosity. Out of all the characters I've read or seen the one that tops them all never has his deafness explored at all. He just is what he is and he's the fabulously nutty Professor Calculus.