not sure if this is brand new behavior. I only know he's like this when he's sleeping on my lap, and he's only a lap kitty in phases. He's more likely to jump up on me when it's chilly in the house and I'm all wrapped up in a blanket myself. Even then he'll jump down if I pet him too much or get too fidgety. I usually talk to him softly when trying to wake him. His hearing is fine- I just called to him in the other room and he looked up at me.