The Wave | June 2025 Issue

 

Welcome to The Wave!

Welcome to The Wave, CASLPO’s monthly update for registrants! The Wave replaces our semi-annual ex.press newsletter and brings together all of our other key updates into one easy-to-read format.

In This Issue:

 

 

Hearing aid on older woman

Task Force on Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Launched

On May 2, 2025, CASLPO’s Executive Committee approved the creation of the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids Task Force in response to recent developments including increased media attention and growing public interest in using devices like AirPods as hearing aids. The Task Force began its work immediately and held its first meeting on May 23, 2025.

The group brings together a range of perspectives, including members of the Board, non-Board committee members, and two community appointees. Together, they are examining the anticipated availability of OTC hearing aids and the potential impact on audiologists, the public, and Ontario’s regulatory framework.

We understand that many registrants have questions about the availability of OTC hearing aids and how this will impact their practice and patients. This Task Force was established to help protect the public while supporting audiologists through clear, informed guidance. Its work will ensure that any recommendations maintain a strong focus on public safety and uphold professional standards.

The Task Force will consider:

  • How OTC hearing aids fit within Ontario’s current regulatory framework
  • What safeguards may be required to protect the public if access expands
  • How CASLPO can provide evidence-based advice to decision-makers, including the Ministry of Health
  • Whether new or revised practice standards will be needed to support audiologists if OTC devices are permitted in Ontario 

Future meetings are scheduled for June and July. Any recommendations developed from these meetings will be reported to the Board in September 2025.

To support registrants, CASLPO has the following resource: Practice Advice document – Service for Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Other Non-Prescribed Hearing Aids. This resource provides guidance on delivering safe and effective care in this emerging area of practice. We’ve also published an FAQ on our website to help answer common questions from both registrants and the public.

CASLPO supports increasing access to affordable, high-quality hearing technology as increased access is believed to help more Ontarians manage their hearing loss. At the same time, we believe the risks associated with OTC hearing aids must be carefully managed through appropriate labeling and effective consumer education.

Audiologists continue to play an essential role in helping individuals make informed decisions about their hearing health through patient-centred care and education. CASLPO remains committed to keeping registrants informed and supported as this important work progresses. We will continue to consult with interested and affected parties and provide updates as they become available.

 

Registrant Spotlight: Bernice McKenzie – Inspiring the Next Generation of Audiologists

How mentorship is shaping the future of audiology—one registrant at a time.

Bernice McKenzie (AUD) knows the power of mentorship. Over the past 18 years, she’s drawn on the guidance and inspiration of her own mentors and now gives back by mentoring others.

“When I was in school over twenty years ago, I had the privilege of learning from some truly incredible mentors,” she says. “These audiologists shaped not only my clinical skills, but also my understanding of where our profession has been and where it could go. Their passion, generosity, and vision left a lasting impact on me. After having such inspirational mentors, I honestly can't imagine not giving back.”

As part of CASLPO’s Mentorship program, Bernice supports new registrants through a structured six-month process designed to build confidence, ensure safe and ethical practice, and verify that mentees are meeting minimum standards of care. In doing so, she plays a vital role in supporting CASLPO’s mandate to protect the public.

Mentors play a critical role in this process. To qualify, they must be in good standing with the College and meet specific criteria, including having sufficient and relevant clinical experience. Throughout the mentorship period, mentors and mentees collaborate using the Clinical Reasoning Tool, maintain regular communication, and complete two formal evaluations in the Mentorship Self-Assessment Tool (MSAT): a midterm and a final report. Each is submitted after mentees complete minimum patient care and mentored hours. 

For Bernice, the most rewarding part is watching the transformation unfold. “Watching mentees go from feeling uncertain and tentative to confident and capable is incredibly rewarding,” she says. “That growth—especially when it clicks for them that they can do this—is the magic of mentorship.”

Beyond skill-building, Bernice believes mentorship is about mindset. “I think mentoring is one of the most powerful ways we can shape the future of audiology. It’s not just about clinical skills—it's about mindset, passion, and vision. My hope is that mentees leave the experience not only as better clinicians, but also as future leaders in our profession. And if they’ve picked up even a fraction of the inspiration I once got from my mentors, then I know we’ve done something right.”

Thank you, Bernice, for your leadership and commitment to mentorship. Your generosity and vision are helping to ensure that the next generation of audiologists are not only competent and ethical clinicians but also inspired professionals who will carry the profession forward.

Read the full Q&A with Bernice

Getting to Know Margaret Drent, CASLPO’s New Registrar and CEO

We recently welcomed Margaret Drent as CASLPO’s new Registrar and CEO, following the retirement of Brian O’Riordan in January. Margaret has been with the College since 2020, most recently serving as Deputy Registrar. As she steps into the Registrar and CEO role, we spoke with her about her background, what inspires her, and how she sees the College continuing to work in partnership with registrants to protect the public and support quality care.

Q: What does it mean to you to take on this role?

I feel privileged to lead an organization that plays a vital part in supporting safe, competent, and ethical care for people across Ontario. I look forward to working with our team and Board to continue delivering on our public protection mandate—and to supporting our registrants in the important work they do every day. Together, we help make sure that patients and families receive the care they need and deserve.

Q: How has your time as Deputy Registrar helped prepare you for this position?

Over the past few years, I’ve led work in Registration, Quality Assurance, and Professional Practice. I’ve also helped implement the College’s Strategic Plan, monitored progress on key performance indicators, and supported our reporting to the Ministry of Health through the College Performance Measurement Framework (CPMF). These experiences gave me a strong understanding of the College’s day-to-day work and long-term goals, and of the many ways we can support registrants in staying current, competent, and confident in their practice.

Q: What inspired your career in professional regulation?

I first became interested in professional regulation while working at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in a non-partisan research role, supporting the work of legislative committees. During a one-year secondment to the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC), an agency of the Ministry of Health that provided advice to the Minister, I had the opportunity to attend Council, or Board meetings for various health regulatory colleges, including CASLPO. 

I was impressed by how engaged Board members were and how committed they were to both public protection and patient care. Although HPRAC no longer exists, that experience opened the door for me into the world of health professional regulation. What drew me in (and continues to inspire me) is the opportunity to work on meaningful, real-world issues like ensuring the sustainability of our health care system, adapting to technological and policy changes, supporting registrants in providing excellent care, and guiding Board and Committee members in their important decisions. 

Margaret Drent and Brian O'Riordan

Margaret Drent, CASLPO’s current Registrar and CEO, shakes hands with former Registrar Brian O’Riordan, who retired in January.

Q: What are your priorities as you begin your tenure?

I’m fortunate to build on the strong foundation laid by former Registrar Brian O’Riordan and Deputy Registrar Carol Bock, who strengthened governance at CASLPO. At my first CASLPO Board meeting in the Fall of 2020, I was impressed by the commitment, wisdom, work ethic, and dedication of Board members. The collegiality of the CASLPO Board is another distinguishing factor in my view. During CASLPO Board and Committee meetings, participants are respectful of the perspectives that others bring to the table as speech-language pathologists, audiologists or public members. I plan to continue to support the Board of Directors and our committees. That includes providing high-quality education on governance, and making sure Board members have the tools to deepen their understanding of the professions and keep the patient perspective central to their decisions.

Another priority is strengthening our relationships with system partners. These include the Ontario Ministry of Health, Ontario’s university programs in audiology and speech-language pathology, regulators across Canada, professional associations, and more. In a complex health care system, collaboration is essential. I look forward to connecting with as many partners as possible, because I believe we will be more effective if we are well-informed about the realities of day-to-day practice. 

I am also committed to continuing to support CASLPO’s important work in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. These efforts are more important than ever, and I’m proud to help move them forward.

I’m excited about the momentum we’ve built through new initiatives like The Wave, which has been well received, and our new video explaining the College’s role. I also see great potential in growing CASLPO’s social media presence to better connect with registrants and the public. 

We look forward to Margaret’s leadership as CASLPO continues to evolve in a complex and changing health care landscape—working in partnership with registrants to support safe, effective care for the people of Ontario.

 

Understanding Knowledgeable Consent: Your Role in Protecting Patient Privacy

As regulated health professionals, audiologists and speech-language pathologists must understand and follow the rules for collecting, using, and sharing personal health information (PHI). Under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) and CASLPO’s Consent and Capacity Standards, consent is not just a formality, it’s a legal and ethical requirement.

There are three key types of consent:

Patients also have the right to withdraw or withhold consent at any time. 

Remember: if you’re ever unsure about your obligations to protect PHI, it’s best to consult the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, contact CASLPO’s Practice Advice team, or seek legal advice.

For more information, review CASLPO’s new resource: Practice Advice: Understanding Personal Health Information.

 

 

Board Update: Highlights from CASLPO’s June Meeting

Board of Directors UpdateCASLPO’s Board of Directors met on June 6, 2025, for a full and productive meeting. Highlights include:

The Board will hold a special meeting to elect a chair, vice-chair and Executive Committee members once a new public member is appointed. The next in-person Board meeting is scheduled for September 19, with Education Day planned for September 18.

Learn more about Board meetings

 

 

Measles Cases Are Rising in Ontario: What You Need to Know

measles

Public Health Ontario (PHO) and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) have recently shared updates on the ongoing measles outbreak in the province—particularly in southwestern Ontario:

To help keep patients and staff safe, CASLPO reminds you to follow Standard 2 of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Standards: “registrants must assess the risks for contamination and transmission of infectious agents for specific patients within specific environments.”

Steps to take:

  • Perform a risk assessment.  
  • Screen patients when confirming appointments and when they arrive. Ask:
    • Have you recently been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with measles?  
    • Do you have any symptoms such as a rash, fever, cough, congestion, or conjunctivitis? 
  • If the screening is positive, sessions should be conducted virtually or rescheduled. If the intervention is time-sensitive and can't be rescheduled, and a virtual session isn't possible, schedule patients with suspected measles at the end of the day when no other patients are present and complete appropriate IPAC measures for airborne viruses. 
  • Check your immunization record by contacting your local public health unit. If you have not had two doses of the measles vaccine, you should not be in contact with patients who potentially have measles. 
  • PHO recommends that all healthcare workers, regardless of immune status, wear an N95 mask* when interacting with potential measles cases.  
  • *Non-fit tested respirators do not give full protection. You can refer to Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) for details on N95 fit testing. 

Stay Informed

Registrants, especially anyone working in the community or private practice, should refer to the Ministry of Health and Public Health Ontario for up-to-date information and resources, including:

Visit PHO’s measles webpage for more details.

Staying alert and prepared helps protect everyone—especially patients who may be more at risk.

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© 2026 CASLPO

© 2026 CASLPO

This website is intended to provide information to the public and registrants. Should there be difference in documentation previously distributed to CASLPO registrants, it is up to the registrant to source the latest version posted on the CASLPO website. Note: the term "member" and "registrant" are used interchangeably throughout CASLPO's website and documents. Both terms are synonymous with "member" as defined in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, 1991, and the Regulations under those Acts.