[If] a deaf-mute man married a competent woman, or a competent man married a deaf-mute woman, if he wishes he may divorce her, and if he wishes he may retain her. Just as he marries by gesturing, so he may divorce by gesturing.  [If] a competent man married a competent woman, and she became a deaf-mute, [if he wishes he may divorce her, and if] he wishes he may retain her. [If] she became insane, he may not divorce her. [If] he became a deaf-mute or insane, he can never divorce her. R' Yochanan ben Nuri asked: Why is it that a wife who became a deaf-mute may be divorced, but a husband who became a deaf-mute may not divorce? They replied: A husband who divorces is not comparable to a wife who is divorced, since a wife may be divorced with or without her consent, while a husband cannot divorce except by his consent.