Love Island contestant Tyrique Hyde opens up on how being born without hearing in one ear has shaped him growing up – and how his openness is helping others feel ‘seen’
Love Island’s Tyrique Hyde has opened up about living with a hidden disability – revealing he was born deaf in one ear and still faces disbelief when he tells people about it. The 26-year-old, who rose to fame on the 2023 series of the ITV2 dating show, said being open about his hearing loss has helped others feel seen, particularly young Black men.
In an exclusive interview with OK!, speaking to us from sunny Marrakesh where he was celebrating his birthday in Marrakesh, the semi-pro footballer reflected on the impact of his condition – as well as the many assumptions people make when they can’t ‘see’ it.
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“Even being on a show like Love Island, watched by so many, being open and honest with my hearing difficulties was a big thing,” he explained. “Even since, I’ve met so many people – young Black guys just like me, saying they were inspired. I’m born deaf in one ear and I’m still making it work. I love who I am.”
But Tyrique admitted that not wearing a hearing aid has led to others questioning whether he’s telling the truth. “One [misconception] is that, just because someone’s not wearing a hearing aid, that doesn’t mean they haven’t got hearing loss,” he said.
“Until this day, when I tell people, ‘Oh, could you come to the left side of me because I can’t really hear what’s going on,’ they’re like, ‘Stop lying.’ I don’t even blame them. If someone told me they’re deaf, but they haven’t got hearing aids and they’re speaking normally and can hear what I’m saying, that doesn’t mean they’re not struggling.”
Asked why he doesn’t wear a hearing aid, Tyrique said it’s simply always been that way. “I don’t even remember making a decision not to wear one. It was just all I’ve ever known. If something’s not broken, don’t fix it.”
The Essex native, who is teaming up with RNID to support Deaf Awareness Week (5-11 May), said he doesn’t feel a responsibility to speak out just because of his reality TV background – but shares what matters to him.
“I don’t really think it’s a responsibility as such,” he said. “Just because someone was on reality TV, they don’t have to start being a pioneer for this, or that. People should just really share what they’re passionate about and be themselves.”
“I never promote anything that’s going to be detrimental to someone or put someone in danger. I just wanna be exactly how I was on the show,” he adds, “When I went on to the show, I said to myself, no matter what happens, if I come home in the first couple of days, I’m just going to be my absolute true self. This is me. It’s the same Tyrique they’re seeing on TikTok, Snapchat and in person.”
Tyrique was speaking on behalf of RNID for Deaf Awareness Week (5-11 May 2025) – an annual event celebrating the deaf community and raising awareness of the challenges faced by the 18 million adults in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Visit RNID.org.uk/it-does-matter
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