about Dustin Giannelli

Dustin has worn 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 as well as when he goes in water. He is

Dustin has worn 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 as well as when he goes in water. He is a Bluetooth power user, whether he is listening to music on his iPhone or on a video call on his MacBook!

Dustin is an oral communicator and relies on his hearing aids and lip reading abilities to communicate effectively. He took a semester of sign language in college to learn basic skills. This is the sign for "I Love You!"

Dustin is an oral communicator and relies on his hearing aids and lip reading abilities to communicate effectively. He took a semester of sign language in college to learn basic skills. This is the sign for "I Love You!"

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

To hear on the phone, Dustin had to press it as close to his ear as possible. When he got his first pair of hearing aids, he had to 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 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.

Dustin coached and mentored a 6th grade boys AAU basketball program. 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 communicatio

Dustin coached and mentored a 6th grade boys AAU basketball program. 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 taught himself how to play the acoustic guitar by watching his friend Dan and YouTube tutorials. He's a big fan of music; Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, and OAR to name a few!

Dustin taught himself how to play the acoustic guitar by watching his friend Dan and YouTube tutorials. He's a big fan of music; Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, and OAR to name a few!

Dustin attended Michael Jordan's weeklong basketball camp in Chicago when he was 11 years old. One evening, MJ delivered an keynote speech in a large auditorium but Dustin did not hear what. In that moment, he didn't ask for the help he needed. Now h

Dustin attended Michael Jordan's weeklong basketball camp in Chicago when he was 11 years old. One evening, MJ delivered an keynote speech in a large auditorium but Dustin did not hear what. In that moment, he didn't ask for the help he needed. Now he stresses the importance of self-advocating more than ever.

Despite Dustin's profound hearing loss, he loves dancing. He feels the bass, which gives him good rhythm. He practiced ballroom dancing including salsa, merengue, tango, etc. Now, he and his wife practice ballroom dancing!

Despite Dustin's profound hearing loss, he loves dancing. He feels the bass, which gives him good rhythm. He practiced ballroom dancing including salsa, merengue, tango, etc. Now, he and his wife practice ballroom dancing!

Dustin has played sports his entire life. He would take out his hearing aids for silence and extra concentration, whether it was at the free throw line during basketball games or while up at bat during baseball games. Sometimes though, he would not h

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

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.

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.

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.

Dustin attended California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Assistive Technology Conference when he worked for 3Play Media. He highlighted the importance of video accessibility and why we should caption all of our video content accurately.

Dustin attended California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Assistive Technology Conference when he worked for 3Play Media. He highlighted the importance of video accessibility and why we should caption all of our video content accurately.

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 (loud!) 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 (loud!) networking event in Boston.

When Dustin listens to music, it is challenging to understand the lyrics. So when he reads the lyrics, he has a deep appreciation for the meaning of songs and the artists' creativity. Dustin holds events where everyone listens to a playlist of popula

When Dustin listens to music, it is challenging to understand the lyrics. So when he reads the lyrics, he has a deep appreciation for the meaning of songs and the artists' creativity. Dustin holds events where everyone listens to a playlist of popular songs and learns the lyrics together.

Dustin's audiogram, which reads he has a profound bilateral hearing loss in the high frequencies at 1k and 100 dB HL

Dustin’s degree of hearing loss

Without his hearing aids on, Dustin struggles to hear mid-to-high range sounds such as bells, whistles, birds chirping, car beeps, high-pitched voices, or babies crying. However, with his hearing aids, he can access a much broader spectrum of sounds.

Dustin deeply appreciates sound, technology, and accessibility and thrives on sharing his knowledge, passion, and positivity with others!

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

“Puppy” became 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 wonderful family and a successful business.

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 in the community and this is what made Dustin such a strong advocate not only for himself, but for others as well.

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