19/08/2026
“I first began experiencing minor hearing challenges around the age of 30. At the time, it was believed to have been caused by an ear infection. Over the years, however, my hearing continued to deteriorate and eventually affected both ears. By the age of 48, I was fitted with hearing aids through the NHS. During this time, I had also started circuit racing around the UK — something I had dreamed of since I was 11 years old. As I gained experience, I pushed myself further, moving into larger and faster cars and competing at higher levels.
By 2005, I had progressed to racing at the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time. It was an incredible achievement, but my hearing was becoming an increasing challenge. In the car, surrounded by engine noise and track conditions, it was becoming harder and harder to hear what the team was telling me from the pits. My hearing aids could not work in the same way as other drivers’ ear plugs, and there simply was not enough amplification to give me both the volume and clarity I needed.
Over the next 20 years, I continued racing across Europe and further afield, but communication from the pits became an ever-growing challenge. In 2021, Aston Martin and Prodrive created a message system for me that worked a little like texting, using 32 pre-programmed messages. It was a great help, but it still did not offer the same level of communication available to other drivers.
In 2025, I received a Marvel cochlear implant from Advanced Bionics, and it has been superb. It has improved my hearing in ways I never dreamt were possible. Working with Roger 3 and the waterproof kit has opened up even more possibilities. I have even been snorkelling – a completely new experience for me. I am also able to wear a crash helmet over my implant using the waterproof kit, which means I can hear the car better and pick up on potential issues before they become more serious.
In 2026, I am racing an Aston Martin in British GT, competing across circuits from Spa to Silverstone. The season has already been successful, with two podium finishes so far. We are now working with the amazing GBR Stratton, MRTC, and the wonderful Team BRIT — who support disabled drivers — to maximise the potential of Roger 3, including communication from the car to the pits. This could help bring me even closer to the level of communication other drivers experience.
Advanced Bionics has not only helped me hear better in everyday life; it has helped me continue doing what I love at the highest level. My Marvel CI has given me access to sound, clarity, and confidence I never thought possible.”
Good luck for the rest of the 2026 season John and we can’t wait to hear how you get on! 💙
𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳. 𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯'𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
