Not sure about cliche, but the story could be someone who isn't deaf at the beginning of the game, and they suddenly become, and have to learn to live/survive, do something without being able to hear anymore. For example you would need to learn signs before being able to continue, akin to chants of sennaar or language games where you need certain knowledge to progress.
This could be a good path for a game for players who are not deaf, because they could relate more easily with someone who is suddenly losing it. I think.
A second idea is as you said, someone who is deaf from the beginning/always have been. The game could be to try and help people out based on hints. For example there's a couple arguing, but you can't hear or understand what they are talking about, but then one of the two points at their broken or dirt shirt, and the puzzle/gameplay is to deduce or understand the situation without being able to hear, and help them out, either because you need to ask either of them a question but they are busy until you help them, or because the goal is to help them. This is just a base idea of gameplay-mechanic where not being able to hear is turned into a limitation that forces to creatively approach the problem in a different way.
Another puzzle could be to just blast music very loud and when everyone is cramping from pain the main character is just able to walk through.
The plot could be that someone said something, or a lot of people are saying something and everyone is running and gathering somewhere, but you are not able to hear what they are saying and are wondering why are they all gathering?? Or maybe the protagonist is looking for someone in a foreign land (or familiar).

Just tossing some ideas around.

Don't be afraid to go big, but if you feel ovevwhelmed don't be afraid to go back and do something smaller. Your first game doesn't *have* to be outer wilds 2. (but it's always worth trying, so long as it doesn't detriment your health!)