What is the key to appearing confident?

I have a hearing problem so I don't always understand what people say and I don't wear any aids because the batteries are expensive (£12 a pack) and I'm ashamed... This has caused me to become quite shy, especially with girls. Unfortunately I have chosen a job where in order to survive you have to be a social animal and dare I say a party animal. I really need to man up and become confident. The problem is not due to my ego (I have quite a big ego unfortunately) or lack of self confidence but rather due to the fact that I often mishear people or don't hear what they say properly and am afraid to respond because I don't want to be ridiculed. Does anyone have any advice on how to evolve in a scene where you have to be very social and go to a lot of parties? I really need to make some new friends too, I've been in town for a year but only made one friend so far!

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