I'm looking for a sci-fi/dystopian book with a deaf/mute main character. I read it in French, 10-15 years ago, but I have no idea of its original publishing date. I can't remember anything about the book cover, the author, or if the book was a translation. I'm pretty sure it was not part of a series.
What I remember:
- The story was set in a near-future.
- The MC was a (young?) woman who was born deaf and so was also mute. She could lip read and use sign language.
- There was something about a new technology used by young people (seen as rebels by society) that were kind of "sci-fi headphones implant", but that were dangerous (like a kind of drug).
- By opposition, other members of the society thought only books and reading were important.
- MC meets a man (with an implant?), (who had another impairment maybe?), who become a 2nd protagonist and maybe a love interest.
- I remember a scene where MC was reading on the bus and was bullied by 2/3 young boys (that were using the "sci-fi headphones"?) and thought she was ignoring them (when she was not hearing them).
- I think there was an issue between the man and his mother, that were linked to the youth rebellion.
- I think, at the end, the new technology is used to help the MC hear sounds for the first time.