SAC-Ontario advocates for streamlined, equitable, and transparent funding models that improve access to speech-language pathology and audiology services as well as essential medical devices across Ontario. This includes engaging with provincial programs and insurers to reduce barriers, enhance affordability, and ensure timely access to care.
Latest Updates
Supporting Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
In Ontario, the Infant Hearing Program (IHP) helps ensure that infants and young children with hearing loss are identified early and connected to appropriate services. The program provides newborn hearing screening, audiology assessments, and early intervention supports for children from birth through the preschool years.
A strong infant hearing system depends on more than screening alone. Families need timely follow-up, clear information, and coordinated access to services across hospitals, community providers, and early intervention programs.
The effectiveness of Ontario’s IHP depends on ensuring that every child has a clear pathway from screening to diagnosis and intervention. Timely access to services helps reduce delays and ensures children receive support during the period when it can have the greatest impact on communication development.
The Canadian Infant Hearing Task Force (CIHTF) 2024 Report Card highlighted the importance of strong Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) systems across Canada. While Ontario has an established IHP, the report emphasized that consistent access to comprehensive hearing services remains an important goal nationally.
SAC has heard concerns from members in Ontario, including through our Ontario Advisory Group, about disruptions affecting access to IHP services in Toronto. These concerns reinforce the importance of resilient systems that support continuity of care for infants and families when services are interrupted.
SAC supports policies and health systems that provide infants and families with equitable, timely access to early hearing detection, assessment and intervention. We will continue to work with members, governments, health system partners and other organizations to advance strong and sustainable EHDI systems across Canada.
WSIB Hearing Services Program
SAC met with representatives from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to discuss member feedback on the current Hearing services program and bundled care model for injured workers.
While the bundled model was introduced to simplify billing and administration, audiologists have raised concerns that some essential clinical services are not adequately supported. As a result, clinics may absorb costs or spend unreimbursed time providing care, making it more difficult to deliver the high-quality hearing services patients need.
SAC highlighted several key concerns, including:
- Earmold replacements: Patients may require new custom earmolds if one breaks or if their hearing or ear anatomy changes before they are eligible for new hearing aids. Clinics have reported challenges obtaining reimbursement in these situations, which can result in clinics absorbing the associated costs.
- Ongoing hearing care: Services such as hearing reassessments and cerumen (earwax) management are important for monitoring hearing health and ensuring hearing aids continue to function effectively. The current funding model may not adequately recognize the time, expertise, and equipment required to provide these services.
- Access to care when changing providers: The six-month billing restriction following a clinic change may make it difficult for workers who relocate, travel, or wish to seek care from another provider to access timely hearing services. SAC acknowledged that WSIB may have already paid the six-month service bundle; however, in some cases, the clinic providing care did not receive that bundled payment and may be unable to bill WSIB for the services provided. WSIB representatives indicated they would review these exception cases and explore potential solutions.
WSIB representatives acknowledged the feedback and provided clarification on several billing processes. They explained that when an earmold breaks or a worker’s hearing changes before they are eligible for new hearing aids, clinics may be able to bill for the replacement through an existing fee code or mini-bundle. WSIB also clarified that cerumen management is considered part of the bundled fee.
WSIB also explained that reimbursement amounts are established and reviewed through a process that includes partner input and economic evaluation. Reimbursement levels are formally reviewed every five years.
SAC will continue working with WSIB to advocate for sustainable funding models that support high-quality hearing healthcare while ensuring injured workers have timely access to the services they need.
Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Ontario Launches Consultation on Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids for Adults
The Ontario Ministry of Health has launched a public consultation on proposed regulatory changes that would allow over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. This represents a potential shift in how hearing devices are accessed in Ontario and could expand non-prescription options, alongside existing clinical pathways.
Currently, hearing aids must be dispensed through a prescription from a regulated health professional such as an audiologist or physician. The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) continues to subsidize eligible individuals, covering up to 75% of the cost of prescribed hearing aids to a set maximum. The proposal would not replace this system but would add OTC hearing aids as an additional access option for adults.
The consultation is examining safety, appropriate users, equity, and impacts on access and cost. SAC prepared and submitted a response to the consultation on May 28, 2026.
Members are also encouraged to review SAC’s OTC Hearing Aids Resource Centre for background information and to review SAC’s position on OTC hearing aids in Canada.
Assistive Devices Program
Update on the ADP Hearing Devices Application Process
We are pleased to announce that the Ministry of Health has confirmed the final changes to the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) Hearing Devices Application Process, which will take effect on March 2, 2026. These updates reflect consultations with SAC and other hearing healthcare advocates in early 2025.
Key Updates
- Simplified signatures: The prescriber signature is no longer required on the ADP form, allowing for more effective streamlining of the ADP application process. With the removal of the prescriber signature, ADP vendors are now required to retain a copy of the applicant’s hearing aid prescription on file and must provide a copy of the hearing aid prescription to the applicant upon procurement of the hearing device.
- Attestation Sheet: As part of the new ADP Hearing Device Application and funding process, ADP vendors will be required to review a new summary sheet with applicants outlining rights, key information on obtaining hearing aids, and the differences between audiologists and hearing instrument specialists. Both the applicant (or agent) and vendor sign this sheet.
- Goals: Reduce physician involvement, clarify roles, and ensure compliance with the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA).
For any applications with an Authorizer’s signature date before March 2, 2026, please continue to use the current forms and system. The existing forms are available in the Central Forms Repository.
If you have questions regarding these changes, please contact the ADP at adpvendors@ontario.ca for vendors, adpauthorizers@ontario.ca for authorizers, or adp@ontario.ca for general inquiries.
Advocating for Removing of Physician Signature Requirement
Advocating for Removing of Physician Signature Requirement
SAC is continually receiving inquiries about the Assistive Device Program (ADP).
On November 26, 2025, SAC sent a letter to the Ontario Ministry of Health advocating for the removal of the physician signature requirement on ADP applications for communication aids. The letter highlights how this requirement delays access to care, creates financial and administrative burdens for families, and does not reflect the clinical knowledge of S-LPs, who are fully qualified to recommend these devices.
For Audiologists, SAC continues to support the formal recognition of their role as the front-line hearing health professionals responsible for prescribing hearing aids.
SAC strongly supports streamlining the patient journey in communication and hearing healthcare. Updates to current guidelines are necessary to:
- protect the public;
- uphold standards of care; and
- ensure equitable access to safe, high-quality hearing services for all Ontarians.
SAC will continue to engage with members, stakeholders, and ADP, and will share future developments as they arise.
Progress Timeline
WSIB Hearing Services Program
Support for Seniors and Caregivers
Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
Relevant Documents
External Links
Ontario Government News Release – Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2025
- Last modified:
- 2026-08-17