Bernard/Confusion

"He heard nothing and, for him, nobody was coming.  Nobody-in spite of the music, in spite of the mounting excitement.  But he waved his arms, he shouted with the best of them; and when the others began to jig and stamp and shuffle, he also jigged and shuffled" (pg 84).  At this time, everyone heard the Greater Being coming down the stairs.  However, Bernard could not hear anything.  Still, he acted like he heard the footsteps on the stairs.  As I have noticed, Bernard just wants to fit in and do what everyone else does.  He does not want to look alone or like an outsider.  So, since everyone was screaming, he thought he should too!  However, I am a little confused why he cannot hear anything?  I also do not exactly understand what soma is?