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The firing up of a race car, the roar of the engine, those are the sounds of auto racing. But for 22-year-old Kris Martin, he hears none of that.

He was born deaf. He got his cochlear implant when he was 8 years old, and we said when he was 10 he could have a go-kart. His grandpa and his father-in-law both raced, so he wanted to do it, so we got him going.

Driving without sound actually made Kris a better racer. He learned by feel.

Well, if I can't hear the car, I feel it with my hand, my back, and feel her car vibrating.

After a number of top 5 finishes, he aspired to reach a higher level, but knew he couldn't go on without help. So in came Phonak hearing systems.

Because racing is a team sport, it is critical for Kris to be able to communicate with his pit crew. And Kris has the challenge of having a hearing loss and a cochlear implant. So he cannot use the regular radio system that somebody with normal hearing would use.

And this FM device allows Kris to hear his pit crew just like any other driver.

How's everything feel out there right now?

It helps. Hearing the community make the call and spot or two is amazing. Before, I tried to use different FM and it doesn't work. It's so hot, sweaty.

With his new system intact, he hopes to one day run NASCAR. But for now, he's content with getting better and at the same time providing inspiration.

I'm hoping to adopt it and speak for deaf kids. I told them they can do anything they want. They can find anything no matter what. I'm deaf, I don't want to be a race car driver. That's not what I want. It's just my passion.