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Ontario says it will pursue legislative changes allowing adults to buy Health Canada-approved over-the-counter hearing aids without a prescription. The changes are expected in the province’s 2026 Fall Economic Statement; they could also make Apple’s approved AirPods Pro hearing features available in Ontario, but the legal framework and safeguards are still pending.
Ontario plans to allow adults to buy Health Canada-approved over-the-counter hearing aids without a prescription, a proposed change that would loosen the province’s current sales rules and could enable hearing-assistance features on Apple AirPods Pro. The government expects to include the legislative changes in its 2026 Fall Economic Statement, but they are not yet in effect.
Ontario’s current rules require a prescription from a physician or audiologist to buy hearing aids. The planned change would permit adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss to access approved OTC devices without that prescription. The government says it will remove legislative and regulatory barriers; the specific rules and consumer protections have not yet been set out in the material provided.
The change could also affect Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3. Health Canada approved Apple’s Hearing Aid Feature and Hearing Test Feature in 2025, but the features are inactive in Ontario under the existing provincial prescription requirement. If the provincial rules change as planned, Ontario users could be able to take a hearing test and use the earbuds’ hearing assistance features without first visiting an audiologist. That availability is a potential consequence, not a feature activation date confirmed by the province.
The government says the proposal would complement the prescription system, not replace it. It also says the changes will not affect the Assistive Devices Program. That program currently covers up to 75% of the cost of prescribed hearing aids, to a maximum of $500 per aid; the source report says it would not cover future non-prescription OTC devices.
A New Route to Hearing Support
Allowing OTC purchases could give some adults a faster or more convenient way to access hearing support, especially those who face barriers to appointments or the cost of care. Ontario’s proposal may also expand the role of consumer electronics in hearing assistance: Apple’s federally approved features remain unavailable in the province because of its current prescription rule.
Access without a prescription does not mean every hearing concern can be safely handled with an OTC device. Audiology representatives have urged safeguards and professional assessment for symptoms that may have causes requiring medical attention. The balance between easier access and appropriate evaluation will depend on the final rules.
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Ontario’s Prescription Rule
The proposed change follows a 30-day public consultation launched in April 2026. The source report says the province described the responses as showing overwhelming support, though it does not provide a numerical breakdown of responses or explain how support was measured.
Ontario is advancing the proposal through its Health Innovation Pathway, according to the report. The change would apply to devices approved by Health Canada; it would not itself constitute federal approval of products or replace existing prescription-based care and funding.
“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.”
— Sylvia Jones, Ontario deputy premier and minister of health
Rules and Safeguards Still Pending
The proposed changes have not yet taken effect. The source report does not specify the final legislative wording, the safeguards that would apply, how approved devices will be identified for consumers, or when sales and related features could begin after the statement is released. It is also unclear whether Apple will activate its AirPods hearing features in Ontario immediately once provincial rules change.
The scope of the consultation’s reported support is unclear because no response totals or detailed findings are provided. Audiology representatives have raised the risk that people could mistake an underlying medical issue for hearing loss suitable for self-directed device use. The final policy will need to clarify how consumers will be informed about when professional assessment is appropriate.
Fall Statement Sets Next Milestone
The next stated milestone is Ontario’s 2026 Fall Economic Statement, which the government expects to release on or before Nov. 15. The proposed legislative changes are expected to be included there. Until the legislation is formalized and takes effect, Ontario’s prescription requirement remains in place.
After the statement, readers will need to watch for the enacted rules, their effective date, and any consumer protections or guidance from the province and professional regulators. The timing of any AirPods feature activation will depend on the final provincial framework and any further steps by Apple.
Key Questions
Can Ontarians buy OTC hearing aids without a prescription now?
Not yet. Ontario says it plans legislative changes, but the current prescription requirement remains in place until the changes are formalized and take effect.
Who would be eligible to use over-the-counter hearing aids?
The proposal is aimed at adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss and would cover Health Canada-approved OTC hearing aids. The final eligibility rules have not been provided.
Will Apple AirPods Pro hearing features become available in Ontario?
The proposed change could clear a provincial barrier to Apple’s federally approved hearing features on AirPods Pro 2 and 3. Ontario and Apple have not confirmed an activation date in the source report.
Will OTC devices be covered by Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program?
The source report says the program will not cover future non-prescription OTC hearing aids. Existing assistance for prescribed devices is to remain unchanged, including coverage of up to 75% of the cost, capped at $500 per aid.
Should someone with hearing concerns seek professional assessment?
Audiology representatives say professional assessment can help identify causes that may require medical attention, and the provincial college says OTC devices are not suitable for everyone. The proposed sales change does not replace individualized advice from a qualified hearing health professional.
Source: hearingreview.com
