A day in the life

Dustin has been wearing Behind the Ear (BTE) Phonak hearing aids since he was 5 years old and currently wears the Naida Marvel model. Dustin puts them on the moment he wakes up and takes them out when he goes to sleep and anytime he goes in water (th

Dustin has been wearing Behind the Ear (BTE) Phonak hearing aids since he was 5 years old and currently wears the Naida Marvel model. Dustin puts them on the moment he wakes up and takes them out when he goes to sleep and anytime he goes in water (the shower, a pool or the ocean). He is a Bluetooth power user, whether he is listening to music on his iPhone or on a Google Meet call on his MacBook!

Dustin is a verbal communicator and relies on his hearing aids and lip reading abilities. In college, Dustin took a semester of sign language because he believes we should all know at least the basics, especially the sign for "I Love You" as seen in

Dustin is a verbal communicator and relies on his hearing aids and lip reading abilities. In college, Dustin took a semester of sign language because he believes we should all know at least the basics, especially the sign for "I Love You" as seen in the photo above!

Dustin lives an active lifestyle and enjoys exercising daily. Did you know hearing aids with Bluetooth capabilities can Bluetooth directly into the Peloton bike for a more intimate workout and inclusive experience? Peloton has been a huge help to Dus

Dustin lives an active lifestyle and enjoys exercising daily. Did you know hearing aids with Bluetooth capabilities can Bluetooth directly into the Peloton bike for a more intimate workout and inclusive experience? Peloton has been a huge help to Dustin's mental and physical health.

After emceeing the 2021 (and 2022) Walk4Hearing, Dustin celebrated with Ann Rancourt, Hearing Loss Association of America's (HLAA) Walk4Hearing Manager and Manny Simons, the Founder and CEO of Akouos, a Boston-based precision genetic medicine company

After emceeing the 2021 (and 2022) Walk4Hearing, Dustin celebrated with Ann Rancourt, Hearing Loss Association of America's (HLAA) Walk4Hearing Manager and Manny Simons, the Founder and CEO of Akouos, a Boston-based precision genetic medicine company.

To hear on the phone, Dustin had to press it as close to his cochlear as possible. When he got his first pair of hearing aids, he would take out his right hearing aid. Speech was always soft and muffled. Now, with the help of Bluetooth, Dustin apprec

To hear on the phone, Dustin had to press it as close to his cochlear as possible. When he got his first pair of hearing aids, he would take out his right hearing aid. Speech was always soft and muffled. Now, with the help of Bluetooth, Dustin appreciates a nice conversation over the phone.

Dustin has fundraised and participated in the Walk4Hearing for 10 years. He appreciates having his family and friends' (Steve and Zach pictured here) support.

Dustin has fundraised and participated in the Walk4Hearing for 10 years. He appreciates having his family and friends' (Steve and Zach pictured here) support.

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics displays Dustin's Roger (a personal Bluetooth microphone that connects to his hearing aids) as he talks to Dustin at a noisy networking event in Boston.

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics displays Dustin's Roger (a personal Bluetooth microphone that connects to his hearing aids) as he talks to Dustin at a noisy networking event in Boston.

Dustin worked for 3Play Media for 18 months and attended California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Assistive Technology Conference in March 2022. Dustin highlighted the importance of video accessibility and why we should all rely on premium clos

Dustin worked for 3Play Media for 18 months and attended California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Assistive Technology Conference in March 2022. Dustin highlighted the importance of video accessibility and why we should all rely on premium closed captions while watching any type of video content.

Despite Dustin's profound hearing loss, he loves dancing. He feels the bass, which gives him good rhythm. When he was in high school, he practiced ballroom dancing; salsa, merengue, tango, etc. Now, he and his wife practice ballroom dance moves at ea

Despite Dustin's profound hearing loss, he loves dancing. He feels the bass, which gives him good rhythm. When he was in high school, he practiced ballroom dancing; salsa, merengue, tango, etc. Now, he and his wife practice ballroom dance moves at each wedding they attend together.

In college, Dustin taught himself how to play the acoustic guitar just by watching his friend Dan and by watching YouTube tutorials.

In college, Dustin taught himself how to play the acoustic guitar just by watching his friend Dan and by watching YouTube tutorials.

When Dustin listens to music, it is challenging to understand the lyrics. However, when he reads the lyrics, he has a deep appreciation for the meaning of the song and the artists' creativity. Dustin held an event where everyone listened to a playlis

When Dustin listens to music, it is challenging to understand the lyrics. However, when he reads the lyrics, he has a deep appreciation for the meaning of the song and the artists' creativity. Dustin held an event where everyone listened to a playlist of popular songs and read and learned the lyrics together.

Dustin coached and mentored 6th grade boys in a fall season AAU basketball program (2022). He started his first practice sharing how important 'communication' is in the game of basketball, especially when you have a coach (or teammate) that is deaf.

Dustin coached and mentored 6th grade boys in a fall season AAU basketball program (2022). He started his first practice sharing how important 'communication' is in the game of basketball, especially when you have a coach (or teammate) that is deaf. Effective communication is the key to team sports.

Dustin attended Michael Jordan's weeklong basketball camp in Elmhurst, Illinois when he was 11 years old. One evening, MJ gave an auditorium speech but Dustin did not hear anything he said. In that moment, Dustin didn't ask for the help he needed. No

Dustin attended Michael Jordan's weeklong basketball camp in Elmhurst, Illinois when he was 11 years old. One evening, MJ gave an auditorium speech but Dustin did not hear anything he said. In that moment, Dustin didn't ask for the help he needed. Now he stresses the importance of self-advocating.

Did you know over 80% of people that use closed captions are NOT d/Deaf or hard of hearing? Dustin watches all of his favorite shows and movies with closed captions so naturally, he's very good at quoting Jim Carrey movies! Any Ace Ventura fans out t

Did you know over 80% of people that use closed captions are NOT d/Deaf or hard of hearing? Dustin watches all of his favorite shows and movies with closed captions so naturally, he's very good at quoting Jim Carrey movies! Any Ace Ventura fans out there? "Allllrighty then!"

Dustin has played sports his entire life. Fun fact: As a kid, Dustin would take out his hearing aids for extra concentration whether it was while he was up at bat during baseball games or at the free throw line during basketball games. Sometimes thou

Dustin has played sports his entire life. Fun fact: As a kid, Dustin would take out his hearing aids for extra concentration whether it was while he was up at bat during baseball games or at the free throw line during basketball games. Sometimes though, he would not hear the whistle blow in soccer, keep going, score and celebrate.. only to find out he was offsides!

Dustin attended "Deaf and hard of hearing night" at Fenway Park, with a section of 300+ DHH fans from all over the country. Dustin wore his clear mask not only to help those that depend on lip reading, but also spread awareness about the challenges t

Dustin attended "Deaf and hard of hearing night" at Fenway Park, with a section of 300+ DHH fans from all over the country. Dustin wore his clear mask not only to help those that depend on lip reading, but also spread awareness about the challenges the deaf community faced during the pandemic due to mask wearing.

When Dustin gets his haircut, he takes out his hearing aids. His barbers know to let him read their lips through the mirror when they chat. This is why Dustin has been going to the same barber shop since 2004.

When Dustin gets his haircut, he takes out his hearing aids. His barbers know to let him read their lips through the mirror when they chat. This is why Dustin has been going to the same barber shop since 2004.

Dustin enjoys spending time with his best friends' kids and is known as Uncle Dusty! He makes sure they know to look at him when they speak so he can read their lips and understand them better.

Dustin enjoys spending time with his best friends' kids and is known as Uncle Dusty! He makes sure they know to look at him when they speak so he can read their lips and understand them better.

This page is dedicated to Dustin’s grandfather, Fred Giannelli

As a child, Dustin’s hero was his loving grandfather. “Puppy” was a double amputee due to a tragic boating accident in his mid 20’s, however, that never stopped him from pursuing his dreams of building a successful business and a family.

Growing up, Puppy taught Dustin many important life lessons. (1) How to accommodate for yourself, (2) how to be observant, (3) how to maintain a positive mental attitude (“PMA”) and (4) why this is all important.

He normalized “disability” in the household and the community and this is what made Dustin such a strong advocate for himself as well as others.

Dustin's grandfather sitting in a chair wearing a yellow dress shirt with grey slacks. He is pointing with his left index finger and his right "hook". He was a double amputee. Not seen in this photo is his wooden leg.

February 26, 1932 - January 29, 2013