On April 17, SAC submitted feedback to Health Canada’s consultation on the Draft Guidance on Managing Applications for Medical Device Licenses, emphasizing our concerns related to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and the need for appropriate regulatory oversight.
On May 2, we also sent a letter to Mr. Greg Orencsak, the Deputy Minister of Health Canada, highlighting the importance of ensuring public safety, consumer education, and product effectiveness through strong regulatory measures for OTC hearing aids in Canada.
We are currently finalizing a position paper, to be released in July, that highlights the role of audiologists and the government when it comes to OTC hearing aids in Canada. This paper calls for measures to ensure public safety, product quality, and informed consumer access. SAC believes that if implemented properly, OTC hearing aids could help to improve access to hearing healthcare in Canada for some. SAC also believes that audiologists are essential in safeguarding hearing health by providing expert assessments, tailored recommendations, and ongoing support.
