I've done some thinking before about how HOD really fits in with the idea of different learning styles. It seems on the surface that if I'm doing one approach to teach all my kids that maybe I'm not accounting for different learning styles, kwim? Here's the thing I've concluded, though. I think that HOD covers all types of learning styles, but at the same time strengthens areas that may not be natural strengths for our children. You've touched on the listening skill. There are also things that appeal to the visual learner-with pictures in some of the books (think about the One Small Square books, for example) and things that appeal to the kinesthetic learner-with art projects, science experiments, moving around while we memorize a verse, etc. The fact is, our kids will need to know how to take in information in a variety of ways through their lives. Listening and learning is a skill that comes naturally to some, but not to others, and yet is a crucial skill to have. Think about listening to sermons in church, or lectures in a college classroom, or even how many times you call someone on the phone with a question and have it answered verbally. The temptation to switch to something that would appeal strictly to my child's learning language is there because it would probably be easier to teach them in that way, but I think it's a danger that will eventually inhibit their learning when others aren't able or willing to cater to their particular strength.
With the Eggleston books, I would encourage you to hang in there. My son right now in Bigger is doing okay with them, but my dd who did them a couple of years ago really struggled with them! I tried having her read them, and really wish I hadn't done that-they really are just a higher reading/comprehension level than a child of Bigger skill level is ready for. It made our time in Bigger much harder than it needed to be. This will be a stretching time for those listening skills, but one that you don't want to pass over for something easier. I'd also really encourage you to limit the discussion as you read. It actually can make it harder for a child to learn, because it's breaking up the information. They can't get the full context if it's broken up by editorial comments, and it's not forcing them to learn by listening to the book because they come to depend on your explaining it to them. I think for narrating I would read through the whole section as assigned, then go back and read a small section-maybe a paragraph or two-to have them narrate back to you. This will take the pressure off, but still give your child a chance to learn in a new way.
But it is hard for her to take in and absorb what we read. If she reads it alone, like her DITHOR books, she remembers everything. I tried to have her read a portion of the Eggleston book to me thinking that would help, but she didn't want to read it and frankly, it's a bit hard for her anyway given its different type of style.
We are on week 6. I do try to stop and talk about it throughout the reading.