I copied the full sentence from the Harvard requirement, which happens to begin with being able to speak. but obviously we are talking about hearing, which the Harvard statement mentioned right after speaking. It might have also started out by saying you need to do pushups and handstands, but obviously we're not concerned with those things.
it seems to me that a deaf person would not be able to participate in all of the same activities as a hearing person, and so they would not be able to get the equivalent education. since the med school would have to give the same education and apply the same evaluations to all students, I don't see how they could possibly accommodate a deaf candidate.
i'm not advocating discrimination. i'm just saying for the specific requirements of medical practice, I don't see how being deaf is compatible. I could be wrong.