Table 3.

Themes identified within observation notes across five sessions from the Oyendo Bien group AR program.

Group AR Session	Themes from Qualitative Observations
	Emotions	Communication Dynamics	Self-Management	Hearing Health Advocacy
SESSION 1: Building blocks of communication; communication strategies	• embarrassed • angry • frustrated • annoyed • ignored	• disagreement • misunderstandings • miscommunications • poor communication • denial	• questions about etiology of hearing loss • questions about hearing loss and dizziness
SESSION 2: Auditory physiology; communication strategies	• sad	• trying communication strategies • discussed how to improve communication • misunderstanding • reluctant to use communication strategies • understood words with context	• questions about etiology of hearing loss • questions about hearing loss & home remedies • questioning how to hear better • shared communication needs with spouse • questions about ear anatomy	• talked about hearing loss with others
SESSION 3: Emotions and communication breakdowns	• hopeful • feeling bad at misunderstandings • sad/upset • overwhelmed • too old to pay attention • isolated	• using communication strategies • communication breakdowns with family members	• more self-aware about own hearing loss • questions about hearing aids and ear anatomy • teaching son how to communicate • plans to care for ears • awareness of talking louder as compensation for hearing loss	• teaching others • talking about hearing loss with family • growing awareness of hearing loss in others
SESSION 4: Hearing aids and assistive devices, noise-related hearing loss	• depressed • less angry spending time together	• positive use of communication strategies • not using communication strategies • improved patience with communication	• asking family members to use communication strategies • considering hearing aids • teaching extended family how to communicate • questions about assistive technology and amplification	• shared experiences with other family members with hearing loss • advocated for hearing health among others
SESSION 5: Hearing protection, self-advocacy for individuals with hearing loss	• awareness • understanding • more patience • less frustrated • not expressing anger	• use of communication strategies	• will buy amplified phone • recognizes own hearing loss • questions about hearing aids • plans to talk to doctor about hearing • avoiding loud places where communication is difficult	• recommended to others with hearing loss that they adopt communication strategies