US EditionOntario Considers Allowing over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
The proposal would keep prescription coverage in place while letting some hearing-aid devices be sold without a prescription.
- On Tuesday, the Ontario Ministry of Health launched a 30-day consultation on over-the-counter hearing aids, seeking feedback on regulatory changes needed to allow their sale without a prescription.
- Between May 2025 and February 2026, the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario task force examined OTC access, recommending options for adults 18 years and older with mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Current Ontario law mandates prescriptions for all hearing aids, while the Assistive Devices Program covers up to 75 per cent of costs—up to $500 per aid—for eligible residents.
- Health Minister Sylvia Jones stated the initiative aims to reduce barriers for people with hearing loss, while Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho emphasized expanding personal choice and independence.
- The province plans to collaborate with the federal government to define OTC aids and ensure changes complement the existing prescription system, which will remain unaffected by any future regulatory amendments.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Ontario considers over-the-counter hearing aids amid proposed regulatory change
Ontarians with mild hearing loss could soon have access to over-the-counter hearing aids, under a regulatory change the government is considering. The Ministry of Health has launched a 30-day consultation on allowing the sale and use of certain devices that function as hearing aids, without a prescription. Health Minister Sylvia Jones says access to over-the-counter hearing aids would reduce barriers for people with hearing loss. Barrie's News D…
Ontario considers allowing over-the-counter hearing aids – 105.9 The Region
TORONTO — Ontarians with mild hearing loss could soon have access to over-the-counter hearing aids, under a regulatory change the government is considering. The Ministry of Health has launched a 30-day consultation on allowing the sale and use of certain devices that function as hearing aids, without a prescription. Health Minister Sylvia Jones says access to over-the-counter hearing aids would reduce barriers for people with hearing loss. Healt…
Ontario Supporting Access To Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
ONTARIO-The Ontario government is launching a consultation to support the potential sale and use of over-the-counter hearing aids. Officials say this change would expand access to convenient, accessible hearing support for Ontarians with mild hearing loss and is part of the province’s Health Innovation Pathway, a streamlined system focused on accelerating the adoption of new health technologies that help ensure more patients receive world-class …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
