{"data":{"cache":"2026-10-20 09:00:54","id":1008165,"previous_administration_flag":0,"assets":null,"contacts_custom":null,"contacts_default":null,"contacts":"

Lily Barnes<\/strong>
Minister Jones\u2019 Office
Lily.Barnes@ontario.ca<\/a><\/p>

Media Relations<\/strong>
Communications Branch
media.moh@ontario.ca<\/a><\/p>","content_title":"Ontario Enabling Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids","clean_title":"Ontario Enabling Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids","content_subtitle":"Province giving Ontarians more options to connect to convenient care faster","content_lead":"

TORONTO \u2014 As part of its plan to protect Ontario and strengthen public services, the Ontario government is taking the next steps to enable the sale and use of Health Canada approved over-the-counter hearing aid<\/span><\/span><\/span>s. As part of the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Health Innovation Pathway<\/span><\/span><\/a>, a streamlined approach to accelerating the adoption of innovative health technologies, the province is advancing proposed regulatory changes that, once passed, will give Ontarians with mild to moderate hearing loss more convenient and accessible options for hearing support. This new measure will not in any way replace or impact Ontario\u2019s existing model of hearing aid prescription and coverage but instead provide an additional option to support Ontarians with more choice and convenience.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>","content_body":"

\u201cOur government is continuing to take bold and innovative action to protect our health-care system and connect more Ontarians to best-in-class health-care solutions,\u201d said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. \u201cBy making life-changing technologies like over-the-counter hearing aids more accessible, we\u2019re giving Ontarians more choice and flexibility to get the hearing support they need, when and where they need it.\u201d<\/p>

In April 2026<\/span><\/span><\/a>, the government launched a 30-day consultation period for individuals, industry partners, health organizations and others to provide feedback on the potential sale and use of over-the-counter hearing aids in Ontario. Given the overwhelming support received through this consultation, the government is moving forward with legislative and regulatory changes to officially enable the sale and use of over-the-counter hearing aids f<\/span><\/span><\/span>or adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

Currently, all hearing aids in Ontario require a prescription from a regulated health professional. Upon completion of the legislative and regulatory changes, manufacturers of in-ear headphones and earbuds with built-in hearing aid capabilities (otherwise referred to as over-the-counter hearing aids) will be able to turn on these features, providing more choice and convenience for Ontarians. These changes will have no impact on the province\u2019s current model of care and Ontarians will continue to be able to receive funding assistance for prescribed hearing aids under the Assistive Devices Program.<\/p>

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care<\/span><\/a>, the government is strengthening Ontario\u2019s health-care system and supporting the adoption of innovative solutions to provide people with faster access to high-quality care, when and where they need it.<\/span><\/p>

More information about how the government continues to make progress on its plan to protect Ontario will be included in the 2026 Fall Economic Statement, <\/em>which will be released on or before November 15, 2026.<\/p>","default_contacts_included_flag":null,"keywords":"","language":"en","media_assets":null,"lead_ministry":{"id":217,"ministries_timeframes_id":6,"acronym":"MOH","acronym_fr":"MSAN","featured_story_boost":688206,"name":"Ministry of Health","name_abbreviated":"Health","name_fr":"Minist\u00e8re de la Sant\u00e9","name_fr_abbreviated":"Sant\u00e9","created_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","deleted_at":null,"updated_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","pivot":{"release_id":1008165,"ministry_id":217,"lead_ministry_flag":1}},"partner_ministries":[],"ministry_acronym_opposite":"msan","ministry_id":217,"ministry_acronym":"MOH","ministry_name":"Ministry of Health","ministry_abbreviated":"Health","preview_expires":null,"quickfacts":"