I'm partially deaf in one ear(only 20% hearing). I wear passive noise canceling ear buds for my mp3 player so I might as well be considered deaf when I ride. One gets 90% of info from your eyes so I really don't use my ears when biking. Some cyclist will frown upon wearing headphones while biking, but I see no difference between doing this and driving a car with the music on.

I'd suggest making sure you a supremely visible for your safety and when you are faced with a certain area that you are not sure about, just walk it. I walk many intersections that are really busy mainly because the lights change too quick.

Also follow all traffic laws and be predicable. All standard safety recommendations.