For anyone lucky enough to have experienced it, the roar of a McLaren V8 engine at close quarters truly is something to behold. For Caleb McDuff, 17, the UK’s only deaf racing driver, the sound is especially sweet.
Despite being born with hearing, Caleb was diagnosed as deaf at the age of two. He underwent cochlear implant surgery when he was four years old at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff, after hearing aids were found to have only limited success.
A whole new world of excitement and adventure opens up.
Though contact sports like football and rugby were not recommended for Caleb, his parents began looking for other sports he could enjoy. Inspired by stories of deaf Canadian racing driver, Kris Martin, Caleb received a go-kart for Christmas when he was just five years old. With that, a lifelong love of motorsport began!
Fast forward 12 years and Caleb is now a member of Team BRIT, the world’s only competitive motor racing team made up entirely of disabled drivers. In 2025, as a Team BRIT driver, Caleb competed in the Britcar Endurance Championship driving the McLaren 570S GT4. Previously, he competed in the Britcar Trophy Championship driving a BMW 1 Series.
To see how quickly Caleb has risen through the motorsport ranks, it is easy to assume that his journey through adolescence had been plain sailing. In fact, Caleb would often experience insecurity about his hearing loss and anxiety in social situations – particularly when meeting new people.
Over time, however, he grew in confidence and motor sport played a big part in that. “Racing has pushed me to speak to so many different people – engineers, teammates, fans, media and race officials,” he says. “Without my sound processors, those conversations would be difficult, if not impossible. With them, I can take part fully, and enjoy every part of what I do, on and off the track.”
The Cochlear™ Nucleus® 8 Sound Prcoessor helps put Caleb in pole position.
It’s clear that his Nucleus® 8 Sound Processors play an important role in allowing Caleb to reach his full potential in racing. “When you’re travelling at up to 180 mph, clear communication with race engineers is vital. Without my sound processors, I simply wouldn’t be able to hear any of the tactical updates from my team – I’d be racing without crucial information.”
Caleb is also a fan of the Nucleus® Smart App. “I use it pretty much every day. I really like being able to switch between different sound programmes. It lets me figure out what sounds best in different environments, whether that’s at home, in a noisy garage or getting ready to race.”
Through the Smart App, Caleb can manage the connection to his Cochlear Wireless Mini Microphone at the touch of a button. “Honestly, the Mini Mic is a game-changer! It acts as the bridge between my sound processors and the car’s on-board comms system, which means I can stay fully connected with my team throughout the race – reacting to strategy, making split-second decisions, and staying in sync with the team. Without the Cochlear System and the Mini Mic, racing would be so much harder. With it, I can push my limits and race to win.”
He adds, “I used to race in silence. Now, thanks to my sound processors and the Mini Mic in the car, one of the sounds I absolutely love is the roar of my McLaren V8 engine at full chat. It’s not just noise, it’s power, speed and adrenaline. It’s a sound that means everything to me.”
You can find out more about Caleb’s journey here https://calebmcduff.co.uk and follow his progress on his Instagram and Facebook channels.
Photography: Peter Markwick
