In the interests of truthful and non-game-playing accuracy:

No one has to answer questions posed by a TSA employee - whether because of choice, inability to hear or inability to understand the language.

There will, however, be consequences if a TSA employee poses questions and doesn't like the answers, doesn't get answers (for whatever reason), or doesn't like the manner in which those answers are delivered.

Consequences may include (but are not limited to): punitive grope, raised voice abuse ("I'm talking to you", "I don't like your attitude", etc), LEOs being summoned, being surrounded by any number of hostile gawkers in blue with no other immediate duties, extended bag searches, including double-swabbing and testing of each item, surrender of ID/BP for copying, and even denial to the sterile area.