ACE2.0 Hearing Program: Evaluating a Group-Based Communication and Wellbeing Intervention for Adults with Hearing Loss and Their Families

Intervention Formats and Delivery Schedule - the difference in the arms is the number of sessions only. Arm 2 will therefore cover all modules, whilst Arm1 will cover only the most relevant modules (a needs analysis activity will guide this). The materials have completely been designed for this study through an intensive co-design process with people with hearing loss, family members, and hearing care professionals. These resources are availble at: https://shrs.uq.edu.au/active-communication-education-ace • Arm 1 (2-Session Format): Participants receive two weekly 2-hour interactive group sessions over a 2-week period. • Arm 2 (4-Session Format): Participants receive four weekly 2-hour interactive group sessions over a 4-week period. • Both Arms: Both formats begin with two mandatory introductory core modules (“Introduction & Preparation” and “Introduction to Challenging Environments”) followed by a selection of "Pick-and-Choose" content modules tailored to the group's needs. Pick-and-Choose modules include “Conversation around the home”, “Enhancing conversation with diverse speakers”, “Tuning in to technology”, “Communication strategies to support hearing aid use”, “Wellbeing with hearing loss”. • Non-intervention and treatment-as-usual arms: two comparison arms will include participants who only complete the outcome measures and have no other intervention (non-intervention group) and participants who are actively receiving audiological care but who do not participate in an ACE2.0 group (treatment-as-usual). 2. Communication Strategies and Psychosocial Support • The intervention targets three primary communication skills: requesting clarification, using specific behavioural communication strategies, and actively advocating for communication needs. • Psychosocial support is explicitly integrated into all sessions to target the emotional and social impacts of hearing loss. This includes structured group discussions regarding listening fatigue, navigating relationship changes, reducing isolation, and managing the psychological stigma of hearing impairment. 3. Physical and Informational Materials Used • Facilitator Manual: A highly structured manual providing interactive lesson plans, delivery protocols, and predefined discussion scripts. • Participant Workbooks: Distinct, visually enhanced workbooks with bespoke versions provided for adults with hearing loss and separate versions for their attending significant others (family members or friends). • Multimedia and Visual Aids: PowerPoint presentations featuring embedded educational video scenarios, client storytelling vignettes, and distinct informational infographics (e.g., full-page stigma, communication partners, and maladaptive habit guides) used as prompts for group interactions. 4. Location and Setting • The intervention is delivered face-to-face in a variety of clinical and community settings, including student-led university clinics, private audiology practices, and consumer advocacy/non-profit organisation venues. 5. Intervention Adherence and Fidelity Monitoring • To evaluate delivery fidelity we hold debriefing interviews with facilitators to discuss program content and delivery. Facilitators may also record sessions for fidelity assessment if all participants provide consent for this. 6. Facilitator Training • The program utilizes a centralized, asynchronous support model designed to be completely self-directed, eliminating the requirement for live or formal training. Facilitators prepare independently using free, open-access resources hosted on a dedicated university web portal. • Independent preparation materials include self-directed learning packets, on-demand micro-learning modules, and educational video demonstrations that scaffold group facilitation skills and outline clinical competencies for managing psychosocial discussions.