That's a great parable. I can't take it literally though because I have a certain type of nerve damage to my ears that causes me to automatically filter out some sounds and hear them "louder" than others, unable to hear words at a certain pitch, unable to hear conversation if there is "white noise" in the background, etc. and it doesn't matter how much I strain. But as long as we don't take it literally, it's a good metaphor & makes a good point!