No More Selective Hearing: Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne Inspires Hearing Aid Journey

Ned Byrer has a confession: his long-practiced “selective hearing” is officially retired.

“I guess they told me that wasn’t possible anymore,” he says with a chuckle. “And that’s 100% true… I’m listening to everything now.”

For Ned, 86, and his wife, Joyce Byrer, 77, that small concession to marital strategy has come with a much bigger gain—clearer conversations, richer everyday sounds, and a renewed appreciation for the world around them. The couple, who live at Heritage Point of Fort Wayne, a senior living community offering a continuum of care, recently sought answers to a question they’d both been wondering: did they need hearing aids?

“We were finding some things harder to hear, especially the TV,” Joyce says. “It seemed like we always had to turn the volume way up. We had talked about getting our hearing checked, but we didn’t know where to start. So when the community offered a workshop, it just felt like the right opportunity.”

The informational session, held in late February, featured specialists who explained how hearing works, what causes hearing loss, and options available for treatment. For Joyce, one of the biggest benefits was finding a no-pressure place to begin.

“There wasn’t any pressure at all,” she says. “They provided lunch, gave a presentation, and answered questions. It was just very informative. And we appreciated that because we really didn’t know what direction to go in.”

By the end of the session, the Byrers had scheduled hearing tests. Within weeks, both had been fitted with hearing aids customized to their specific needs.

The improvements related to better hearing are evident in nearly every part of their daily life. Watching television no longer requires blasting the volume. Conversations in restaurants and small groups are easier and more natural. Even large gatherings, like community meetings or church services, are more enjoyable.

The devices have also enhanced quieter moments—like mornings at home.

“We overlook a pond,” Ned says about their independent living villa. “Now I can hear the birds, and even things like a clock ticking from across the room. You hear things you didn’t hear before.”

The decision to attend the information session and ultimately get hearing aids—reflects a broader benefit of life at Heritage Point. The Byrers say the community regularly offers programs designed to support residents’ health and overall well-being.

“They offer a range of things that can benefit a person’s health,” Joyce says. “This was just one example. They have exercise programs, educational sessions. There’s even a talk on back care coming up. It gives you opportunities to learn and take action.”

That dedication to maintaining residents’ health and supportive community culture are two of the reasons the couple has enjoyed living at Heritage Pointe for more than a decade.

“People are welcoming, and there are lots of activities if you want to be involved. And the setting is beautiful—we have ponds, walking areas, and lovely homes,” Joyce says.

Their decision to move out of their previous two-story house where the laundry room was in the basement to Heritage Pointe was a practical one as going up and down stairs became more challenging.

“Everything here is on one level here, and they take care of the lawn and snow,” Joyce says about her home at Heritage Pointe. “As we’ve gotten older, that’s become very important.”

Heritage Pointe offers a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and nursing care, allowing residents to stay in one place as their health needs change.

“That was a big factor for us,” Joyce says.

Now, with their hearing enhanced and their daily routines enriched, the Byrers are grateful they took the first step of moving to Heritage Pointe in the first place.

“It has improved our life,” Joyce says. “In small ways and big ways.”

And for Ned, the trade-off of getting hearing aids is clear: he relishes having better hearing, even if it has meant giving up his practice of selective listening.

“There are a lot of advantages,” he says. “Even if I’m hearing more than I used to—or maybe more than I want to sometimes.”