Changes Affecting Registrants

CASLPO Advances Leadership Succession Plan and Congratulates Brian O’Riordan on His Upcoming Retirement

On May 15, CASLPO announced that Margaret Drent will succeed Brian O’Riordan as Registrar and CEO. Margaret, currently CASLPO’s Deputy Registrar, will step into the role when Brian retires on January 17, 2025. 

“We are excited to welcome Margaret as our next Registrar and CEO. Her extensive experience and commitment will benefit CASLPO greatly,” said Pam Millett, CASLPO Board Chair. “At the same time, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to Brian for his exceptional 15 years of service with the College. Brian has played a pivotal role in shaping CASLPO’s success, and his leadership will be greatly missed. We wish him all the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his life.”

Margaret joined CASLPO in October 2022 and oversees Registration, Quality Assurance, and Professional Practice. With a background in law and professional regulation, as Deputy Registrar, she has worked with the Office of the Ontario Fairness Commissioner, Ontario graduate programs in audiology and speech-language pathology, and regulatory bodies in other provinces. Margaret’s previous roles include Strategic Policy Counsel at the Law Society of Ontario, Director of Professional Conduct at CASLPO, and Policy Analyst at the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC). She will be CASLPO’s second female Registrar and CEO.

Read the May 15th announcement here.

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Upcoming CASLPO 2023-2024 DEI Report Highlights Ongoing Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

In the coming weeks, CASLPO will release its latest Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) report, titled "Equity in Action." This report emphasizes the importance of putting inclusive practices into action and making equitable decisions.

The report details our progress towards goal #3 of CASLPO's 2021-2025 Strategic Plan: to "embody and promote the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion." Highlights include:

• Registrant Demographic Data Collection: Enhancing our understanding of the diverse backgrounds of our registrants.
• Gender-Inclusive Language: Adopting practices that respect and acknowledge all gender identities.
• Community Engagement: Strengthening connections with diverse communities to better understand and address their needs.
• Addressing Discrimination in Health Care: Expanding our web series to tackle various forms of discrimination within health care settings.
• DEI Self-Assessment Results: Evaluating our own practices to identify areas for improvement.

These activities address areas where improvements can be achieved and acknowledges that systemic racism and bias can have a real and significant impact on patient care.

"Regulation requires more than simply following rules; It involves actively listening to and addressing the concerns of patients and registrants,"; said Pam Millett, CASLPO Board Chair. "As you will see in this report, CASLPO is working hard to bring positive change, improve our own knowledge, and engage with equity-seeking communities."

Stay tuned for the release of the 2023 DEI Report, which will be available here.

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 Practice Advice

Considerations for Audiologists Working with Hearing Instrument Practitioners (HIPs) When Prescribing Hearing Aids

In Ontario, only audiologists and physicians can prescribe hearing aids. This is a “controlled act,” as set out in provincial legislation. Prescribing a hearing aid is one of fourteen controlled acts that are associated with patient risk of harm. The public relies on audiologists as regulated hearing health care providers with the knowledge, skill, judgement, and education to prescribe hearing aids effectively and follow standards of care that prioritize public interest. Recently, audiologists have been working more closely with hearing instrument practitioners (HIPs) to provide patients with hearing aid prescriptions.

To help CASLPO audiologists understand and meet the standards for prescribing hearing aids, we shared FAQs, a prescription checklist, and form in April. On August 14, 2024, we hosted an E-Forum to offer further guidance and answer questions.

The E-Forum covered:

• Why prescribing hearing aids is a controlled act
• Why audiologists can’t delegate hearing aid prescriptions 
• How to meet the standards
• Why writing hearing aid prescriptions isn’t just “paperwork”

Download the E-Forum slides or watch the recording here. For questions, contact Samidha Joglekar, Advisor, Audiology Practice & Quality Assurance, at [email protected].

 

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids — Recent Developments

Since October 2022, consumers in the United States have been able to purchase OTC hearing aids from retailers like Amazon, Costco, and Walmart. It remains unclear whether Canada will regulate OTC hearing aids in a similar manner as the Food and Drug Administration. Currently, Ontario’s provincial regulation requires a prescription from an audiologist or physician for a hearing aid. Despite this, individuals can still buy OTC hearing aids online or abroad.

CASLPO has been closely monitoring the September 9, 2024, launch of the new Apple Airpod Pro 2. With a software update, the Airpod Pro 2 can function as a “clinical-grade OTC hearing aid.” This launch includes features such as a “hearing test” and “hearing aid” functionality. CASLPO is collaborating with other provincial regulators and system partners to assess if and when Apple’s product will become available in Canada considering Health Canada’s current regulatory framework and Ontario’s legislation.

It is likely that the public will seek support from Ontario audiologists for OTC hearing aids purchased in the U.S. CASLPO has practice advice on providing Service for Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Other Non-Prescribed Hearing Aids. It details how the Standards for the Provision of Hearing Aid Services by Audiologists apply when supporting the public with non-prescribed hearing aids and and clarifies the minimum requirements and expectations for providing safe and competent care. We will update this advice as new information becomes available.

As a regulator, CASLPO's role is to ensure that standards of practice for audiologists reflect current trends and address patient risk of harm. We are committed to working with our system partners to keep up with developments on this important issue.

If you have any questions, please contact Samidha Joglekar, Advisor, Audiology Practice & Quality Assurance, at [email protected]. 

 

Your Top Practice-Related Questions Answered

Answer: If someone has obtained your credentials without your knowledge to submit a fraudulent claim, this situation is not a reflection of your professional conduct, and you are not at fault for any wrongdoing. Insurance companies often verify the authenticity of claims. To protect yourself, follow the College’s standards by maintaining accurate and comprehensive records of all your patient interactions. If you did not see the patient in question, responding to the insurance company truthfully and keeping detailed records will support your position.

If you suspect that your credentials are being used fraudulently, report it to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC – www.ibc.ca) or Équité (https://www.equiteassociation.com/). You can also phone Équité at 1-877-422-8477.

*NOTE: Article updated on July 2, 2025.

Answer: Ensure that you thoroughly document the incident including a detailed account of the procedure(s) followed, equipment used, any recommendations made, and your rationale for each step taken. Make appropriate recommendations if the patient requires medical intervention from a family doctor, an ENT specialist, a visit to a walk-in clinic, or to the emergency room. Support the patient to receive follow-up expediently if that is necessary. Be available to answer your patient’s questions about next steps and to share information with other health professionals with appropriate patient consent. Ensure that you document all the steps taken.

Cerumen management is a clinical procedure that can pose a higher risk of physical harm to patients, particularly with certain case histories (e.g., history of ear surgery, dizziness and/or ear infections). Ensure you are knowledgeable and following the Practice Standards for Cerumen Management in your practice.

Answer: Anyone can be support personnel. However, keep the following in mind:

• Supervision and Responsibility: You must supervise their work and remain accountable for their actions. Refer to the College Position Statements on the Use of Support Personal by AUDs or SLPs. 
• Training and Competence: Ensure that the support personnel are properly trained and competent.
• Regulatory Status: While CDA is a title earned through academic programs, it is not a regulated position.
• Insurance Implications: Consider any potential insurance implications of hiring non-CDA support personnel.
• International Credentials: New Canadians with experience as AUDs or SLPs in their country of origin but lacking a master's degree can work as support personnel. The decision rests with the employer as the role is not regulated and as mentioned above, supervision, and the training and competence of the individual must be ensured by CASLPO registrants. 

Answer: Some CASLPO registrants choose to implement policies that allow patients or their relevant others to pre-pay for services (e.g., four weekly sessions paid at one time). If you offer pre-payment of services, ensure you adhere to CASLPO's Code of Ethics. Keep in mind that the dates of each of the treatment sessions must be clearly written on the invoice as stated in the Records Regulation. Be transparent about the services provided, who provided them, and the associated fees. You should also have a plan or policy in place in case sessions are cancelled or for when patients want to be reimbursed if they don’t end up using all the therapy sessions that they have pre-paid for.

 

Back to School: Supporting Parents and Children with Hearing and Speech Concerns

As fall arrives, many parents and caregivers of school-aged children seek additional support for speech and hearing issues. Navigating public audiology and speech-language services through school boards in Ontario can be challenging, often with long wait times that may delay necessary interventions.

As audiologists (AUDs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), you play a crucial role in guiding patients and their families through the system. In fact, our Code of Ethics expects you to inform patients about private practice services that are available and how to access these services. 

Private practitioners should also inform patients and their relevant others of the public services available and recommend these services to patients. This is especially helpful when private care is costly, insurance coverage is limited, or public programs offer benefits that private services cannot.

Public service delays can be significant, impacting a child’s development and well-being. Patients and their relevant others depend on AUDs and SLPs to be a source of reliable information on how to navigate the system. It is challenging for members of the public to find the information they need on their own. Take the time to educate families on the connection between hearing, speech, and literacy, and emphasize the importance of follow-up and intervention (See Code of Ethics Principle 2 – Patient Benefit).

To ensure you act in the best interest of your patients, keep the following considerations in mind:

• Assess the Urgency: Determine whether the wait time for public services is likely to impact the child's progress. If delays are significant, private care might be a more immediate solution.
• Patient Autonomy: Provide patients and their families with a list of audiologists and speech-language pathologists or guide them on how to find these professionals, so they can make an informed decision.
• Evaluate Costs and Coverage: Consider the financial impact on families. Private services can be costly, so ensure they are a feasible option.
• Maintain Integrity: Ensure that all referrals are made in the patient’s best interest, without any personal or financial incentives influencing your decision. AUDs and SLPs can recommend specific service providers as long as this is not an exclusive referral arrangement and as long as patients know they have a choice to see other service providers if they so choose.

By balancing these factors and referring appropriately, you help ensure that children receive the timely and effective support they need.

Additional resources:

• FAQs: Speech-Language Pathology Services in Schools
• Guide for Speech-Language Pathologists Employed in the School Board Setting

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Government - Legislative Changes / Announcements

Understanding Changes to the Professional Misconduct Regulation

On July 1, 2024, amendments to CASLPO's Professional Misconduct Regulation ("Regulation") took effect. The regulation outlines actions that audiologists and speech-language pathologists are not permitted to do or engage in.

All CASLPO registrants are required to understand the Regulation to ensure that they avoid any actions that could be deemed professional misconduct. To help with understanding the amendments, we held an E-Forum on July 10, 2024. You can watch the recording and review the materials here.

Key Changes Include:

• Inclusive language: The regulation now uses "they" instead of "he/she."
• Terminology change: "Client" has been replaced with "patient." (Note: Registrants can still use "clients" if preferred.)
• New and clarified provisions:
  • Changes to the requirements respecting discontinuing necessary services.
  • Failing to appropriately supervise support personnel.
  • Prohibitions against presenting individuals as registered with the College when they are not.
  • Practising audiology or speech-language pathology with a suspended registration or benefiting directly or indirectly from the practice of a suspended registrant.
  • Failing to respond when requested to an inquiry from the College within a reasonable period of time.
  • Recommending or providing ineffective, unnecessary, deleterious or inappropriate treatment.
  • Compliance requirements for audiologists and speech-language pathologists engaged with the College or a College process.

 

Ending Human Trafficking: Ontario's 2020-2025 Strategy Wrap-Up

The Ontario government’s five-year plan to fight human trafficking is nearing its end. The Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Coordination Office is now planning the next steps to strengthen efforts against trafficking in the province, with a focus on improving support for survivors and better protecting those at high risk.

The focus of activity in the Strategy is to raise awareness through targeted training and public campaigns. These campaigns were designed to equip frontline workers, including health care professionals like audiologists and speech-language pathologists, with strategies and skills to prevent trafficking and respond effectively. By offering specialized services for survivors and providing law enforcement with the necessary tools and resources to hold traffickers accountable, health care providers play a crucial role in stopping human trafficking.

Audiologists and SLPs are trusted health care professionals who might notice signs of trafficking, such as changes in behaviour or performance (e.g. being absent from school or declining grades) or changes in physical appearance and belongings (e.g. new clothing or jewellery they cannot afford). For more information on human trafficking—how it happens, who is at risk, and the warning signs—visit the Recognizing Human Trafficking page on the Government of Ontario’s website.

If you or someone you know needs help or wants to report a case, call the Canadian human trafficking hotline at 1-833-900-1010. It's confidential, free, and available 24/7.