Health News For Central East
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Ontario. Ministry of Health - [Toronto - University Avenue] - [Public Health Care]
Ontario Enabling Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Province giving Ontarians more options to connect to convenient care faster
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 aids. As part of the Health Innovation Pathway, 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’s existing model of hearing aid prescription and coverage but instead provide an additional option to support Ontarians with more choice and convenience.
“Our 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,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By making life-changing technologies like over-the-counter hearing aids more accessible, we’re giving Ontarians more choice and flexibility to get the hearing support they need, when and where they need it.”
In April 2026, 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 for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.
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’s current model of care and Ontarians will continue to be able to receive funding assistance for prescribed hearing aids under the Assistive Devices Program.
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the government is strengthening Ontario’s 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.
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, which will be released on or before November 15, 2026.
Quick Facts:
- The Assistive Devices Program provides funding assistance for prescribed hearing aids for eligible Ontario residents who have long-term hearing loss, covering up to 75 per cent of the cost up to a maximum of $500 for each aid. The program will not apply to over-the-counter, non-prescribed hearing aids. Instead, allowing the sale and use of over-the-counter hearing aids will complement the government’s program and provide people with more choice in obtaining hearing support.
- The Health Innovation Pathway provides a streamlined process for reviewing and adopting technologies like medical devices and procedures, digital tools, medical imaging and screening, lab and genetic testing and models of health-care delivery to prioritize made-in-Ontario health solutions and ensure more patients receive world-class care close to home.
- The Health Innovation Pathway is part of the government’s Life Sciences Strategy. Ontario Health leads the end-to-end delivery of the Health Innovation Pathway, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Supply Ontario, the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.
- Supply Ontario is the provincial agency established to strengthen supply chain management and procurement across the public sector. Supply Ontario will support the review and procurement of promising health technologies through the Health Innovation Pathway.
Quotes:
"Our government is strengthening health care in Ontario by supporting innovative approaches that support a comprehensive, convenient and connected health-care system for everyone. Allowing over-the-counter access to hearing aids would reduce barriers to treatment for mild to moderate hearing loss and give people faster access to high-quality health care when and where they need it."
- Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance
"Through the Health Innovation Pathway, our government is ensuring life-changing medical technologies, like over-the-counter hearing aids, can be adopted more widely and quickly. By reducing barriers to care for our workers and families through these latest measures, we will further strengthen Ontario’s leadership in the life and health sciences sector and unlock new opportunities for our health-tech innovators."
- Vic Fedeli,Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
"As someone who uses a hearing aid, I know just how important it is to remain independent and connected. Having over-the-counter options gives people personal choice and access to the professional care and coverage that they need whenever necessary."
- Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
"Ontario is creating new opportunities for innovative health technologies to reach the people who need them. Supporting solutions such as over-the-counter hearing aids helps increase access and choice, while modernizing and strengthening our health-care system."
- Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
Additional Resources:
Media Contacts:
Lily Barnes
Minister Jones’ Office
Lily.Barnes@ontario.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
media.moh@ontario.ca
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