What to know
- Ontario is moving ahead with legislative changes to allow adults to buy Health Canada-approved over-the-counter hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss, following a 30-day public consultation that found overwhelming support.
- The changes would also allow manufacturers to activate hearing assistance features in compatible earbuds and in-ear headphones, including certain Apple AirPods Pro models, for Ontario consumers.
- The new options would complement, not replace, Ontario’s existing prescription hearing aid system. Eligible residents with long-term hearing loss can still receive up to 75 per cent of the cost of prescribed hearing aids, up to $500 per aid, through the Assistive Devices Program. Over-the-counter devices will not be covered.
- The province has not announced an implementation date. Further details are expected in Ontario’s 2026 Fall Economic Statement, due on or before Nov. 15.
Ontario is moving forward with changes that would allow some adult residents to buy over-the-counter hearing aids, giving easier access to the device.
The provincial government announced in a press release Tuesday that it’s moving ahead with legislative changes to allow the sale and use of Health Canada-approved over-the-counter hearing aids.
The devices will be targeted to help those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Manufacturers of in-ear headphones and earbuds with built-in hearing aid capabilities will be allowed to turn those features on for Ontario consumers, once the changes are completed.
Ahead of the legislation change, the process to obtain hearing devices is more complex.
All hearing aids in Ontario currently require a prescription from a health professional, which means some devices from private companies that have built-in hearing assistance capabilities cannot activate those features in the province.
The changes come after a 30-day public consultation that launched in April 2026.
The government said the results confirmed an overwhelming amount of support on the legislation, giving the province the go-ahead on over-the-counter hearing devices.
“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,” Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said in the release.
Not replacing coverage
The government said the proposed changes would not be replacing Ontario’s existing prescription hearing aid system, instead looking to compliment it.
Eligible Ontario residents with long-term hearing loss will continue to receive financial assistance if they choose to, through the province’s Assistive Devices Program.
Currently, the fund covers up to 75 per cent of the bill for prescribed hearing aids, with a maximum of $500 per aid.
The program does not cover the future over-the-counter, non-prescription hearing aids.
The change could provide another option for people who face barriers to accessing hearing support, although the government has not announced a specific implementation date.
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said allowing access to over-the-counter hearing devices could reduce barriers to treatment for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
“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,” he said.
Hearing assistance technology in earbuds
The announcement could also mean anyone interested in using wireless earbuds that have hearing assistance capabilities instead of traditional hearing aids may be able to do so.
This includes companies like Apple, who have developed hearing aid functionality for some AirPods Pro devices.
The availability of these features will depend on approval and the markets in which the government decides to enable them.
Over-the-counter devices are intended to provide another option for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. They are not a replacement for professional assessment or specialized hearing aids for people with more significant hearing difficulties.
Ontario’s College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists previously looked at how over-the-counter hearing aids, adding that devices like these could help reduce barriers to hearing support, while also maintaining access to professional care.
Raymond Cho, Ontario’s minister for seniors and accessibility, stated in the release that the proposed changes could help people with hearing loss keep their independence and stay connected with each other.
“Having over-the-counter options gives people personal choice and access to the professional care and coverage that they need whenever necessary,” Cho said.
Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli said the move could also support growth in Ontario’s life sciences and health technology sectors.
The province is advancing the changes through its Health Innovation Pathway, an initiative that helps to speed up the approval of new health technologies.
Further details on the government’s plans are expected to be included in the 2026 Fall Economic Statement, slated for release on or before Nov. 15.
