Be On Offense: Self-Advocacy and Hearing Loss

At 11-years-old, I made the All-Star team at Michael Jordan’s basketball camp—an unforgettable moment for any young athlete. But when MJ stepped onto the stage to deliver his hour-long keynote on mindset and greatness, I realized something heartbreaking: I couldn’t hear or understand him from my seat. As a kid with profound hearing loss, I sat in silence, missing every sentence from my idol.

That frustration—and the desire to fully experience moments like this—sparked my lifelong commitment to accessibility, self-advocacy, and what I now call my “Be On Offense” mindset.

My Missed Moment with MJ

Here's how I remember it: “Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only…Michael Jorrrrdannnn!”

Everyone rose to a standing ovation while MJ walked on stage to deliver a keynote on mindset and greatness. But as he began speaking, I realized very quickly...I couldn’t hear him. Not clearly, anyway.

I was six years into my profound hearing loss diagnosis, and from my seat 40-50 feet away, lip reading was nearly impossible. There were no live captions. No zoomed-in screens. No interpreters. Just me, sitting there, missing what my idol was saying.

A counselor walked up and down the aisle. My mom had always told me, “Advocate for yourself and ask for help when you need it.” I did this in school, but I didn’t in this moment. Instead, I stayed silent, and when my teammates laughed, I laughed. When they smiled, I smiled.

Have you ever been in that situation before?

Have you ever pretended to laugh just to fit in?

Looking back, that moment shaped everything. It’s when I created my personal lifelong motto: “Be on offense.” I realized I was on defense in those seats, and that had to change.

That experience, and countless others like it, have driven me to help myself and others advocate for themselves and communicate more confidently, especially in the workplace.

From Hearing Loss Diagnosis to Advocacy

My hearing loss journey began when I was five years old. A school hearing test flagged something unusual. Then a full exam at Boston Children’s Hospital followed and I was diagnosed with profound bilateral hearing loss. Shortly after, I got fitted for my first pair of hearing aids.

Like many kids, I just wanted to fit in. I was a multi-sport athlete, constantly competing with my older brother, and I didn’t want to be seen as “the kid with hearing aids.” I wanted to be known for how I played, not what I wore in my ears.

That mindset came from my late grandfather, who was a double amputee. He taught me that there’s so much more to life than your “disability.” (I place “disability” in quote marks because I view my hearing disability as an ability—a different way of experiencing the world, and one that’s shaped me into who I am today.)

From K-12, my parents always went to my Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. But when I went to the University of New Hampshire, it was up to me to figure this all out on my own. I had to speak up for accommodations, find solutions in those big lecture halls, and develop ways to succeed both academically and socially.

That time in my life taught me a powerful truth:

And more importantly, it reminded me to “Be on offense.”

Technology and Transformation

Everything shifted after I began working at a Boston-based company that focused on digital accessibility. I saw how assistive technology, closed captions, transcripts, ASL interpretation, and accessible content transform lives—and not just for those of us with hearing loss!

Did you know 82% of people who use closed captions aren’t deaf or hard of hearing?

As someone who truly appreciates technology (and sound!), I rely on a mix of features and strategies to stay connected: Bluetooth streaming, captions on all videos, lip reading, and good old-fashioned self-advocacy. For anyone newly diagnosed or hesitant about hearing technology, trust me — the right support, audiologist, and technology can change everything.

Launching HearsDustin

In 2023, I launched my own speaking business, HearsDustin LLC, where I share my story and help organizations understand how hearing loss impacts workplace communication, accessibility, mental health, and the culture of the entire organization. I’ve spoken at companies like Converse, NBCUniversal, Liberty Mutual, Sony, and Peloton, and went through the extensive process to certify HearsDustin LLC as a Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) through the organization Disability:IN.

I help people think differently about hearing loss and the stigmas around it. When people can communicate clearly and confidently, they perform better, build stronger teams, and feel more connected — at work and in life.

Why “Be On Offense” Matters

Today, I encourage anyone navigating hearing loss—or a communication challenge—to do what I couldn’t do when I was 11 years old: Speak up. Be proactive. Try new technology. Ask the questions. Let people help you.

If you’re navigating hearing loss, don’t wait. Speak up. Try the tech. Ask for support. Be on offense—because your voice deserves to be heard.

Self-advocacy is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Don’t wait for someone else to include you—include yourself. Ask for what you need. Own your story, celebrate your wins, and “Be on offense.”

Thank you to HearingTracker for giving me the space and opportunity to share this message. It is powerful when our community comes together to learn, grow, and advocate for one another.

And thank you for reading this article. If you’re an audiologist or speech pathologist, thank you. If you’re an inclusion advocate, thank you. If you’re a hearing aid manufacturer, thank you. And if you’re an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing, please know you are not alone.

If you'd like to connect or bring my message to your organization, I’d love to hear from you! Connect with me on LinkedIn, visit the “Contact Dustin” tab on HearsDustin.com, or email me at dustin@hearsdustin.com.