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The Wave | October 2026 Edition
Welcome to The Wave, CASLPO’s monthly e-newsletter for registrants! The Wave brings together all of the College's key updates into one easy-to-read format.
In This Issue:
Ontario Government Announces Plans to Enable Access to OTC Hearing AidsOn October 20, 2026, the Ontario government announced it is proceeding with legislative and regulatory changes that, once passed, will enable access to Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
OTC hearing aids are not yet legally accessible in Ontario. Under the current legal framework, hearing aids require a prescription from a physician or audiologist. Legislative and regulatory changes are still required before the proposed changes to enable access to OTC hearing aids can take effect. The new measures will not replace or impact Ontario’s existing model of hearing aid prescription and coverage through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) but instead will provide an additional option for Ontarians.
The government’s announcement follows a public consultation launched in April 2026 to gather feedback on the potential sale and use of OTC hearing aids in Ontario. CASLPO submitted a response to this consultation, outlining considerations related to safety, effectiveness, potential risks, and regulatory oversight.
In 2025, CASLPO established a Task Force to examine how access to OTC hearing aids could affect public protection, audiology practice and Ontario’s hearing care system. The Task Force’s report, Recommendations to Allow Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids for Ontarians, provides evidence-informed recommendations for introducing OTC hearing aids safely while maintaining public protections. Earlier this year, CASLPO shared the report with the Ministry of Health.
The report recommends allowing access to OTC hearing aid devices for adults aged 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss who do not have warning signs of an underlying medical condition and are likely able to manage the technology and seek professional help when needed. In anticipation of the availability of OTC hearing aids in Ontario, the College will continue to encourage individuals considering OTC hearing aids to consult with an audiologist or other regulated hearing health care professional to help determine whether these devices are appropriate for their needs.
Reminder: Consultation on Evidence-Informed Practice StandardsThe consultation deadline is approaching. CASLPO is inviting registrants, the public and other interested and affected parties to review the draft Evidence-Informed Practice Standards and share their feedback.
The draft standards will replace CASLPO’s current Evidence Based Practice Standard. Feedback received during the consultation will be considered before the final standards are submitted to the CASLPO Board of Directors for approval.
The consultation closes Friday, November 6, 2026.
We encourage you to:
Registrants can earn Continuous Learning Activity Credits (CLACs) by reviewing the draft standards and completing the consultation survey. The activity can be recorded in your 2026 Self-Assessment Tool (SAT).
You can claim one CLAC for each hour that you spend reviewing the draft standards.
Thank you for taking the time to share your input. Your feedback helps ensure the new Practice Standards protect the public and reflect current, attainable expectations for the professions.
CASLPO is pleased to recognize three clinicians with this year’s Outstanding Achievements in Regulation Award for their contributions to the College and the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.
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Jennifer Horton, Speech-Language PathologistJennifer has supported CASLPO for many years as a Peer Assessor in Quality Assurance, a Mentor in Registration, and a Practice Monitor and expert witness in Conduct. She generously shares her expertise, completes peer assessments and evidence reviews with care, and supports registrants with patience and compassion through peer coaching. She has also shared her experience as a health care innovator, helping CASLPO staff plan for proposed changes to the scope of practice of speech-language pathologists. Through her knowledge, professionalism and longstanding service, Jennifer has made a meaningful contribution to the College and its regulatory work. |
Stephanie Muir-Derbyshire, Speech-Language PathologistStephanie works at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hospital in London, Ontario, where she promotes evidence-informed practice, particularly in dysphagia and cognitive-communication. She shares new research and clinical approaches with colleagues to help improve patient care. She also returned to university as an experienced clinician to complete her PhD and deepen her knowledge of dysphagia. Stephanie has served as a CASLPO Peer Assessor since the program began. She brings more than three decades of experience, integrity and a supportive approach to helping registrants understand the College’s expectations. Through her clinical expertise and longstanding service as a Peer Assessor, Stephanie has helped support registrants and strengthen professional practice. |
Kim Eskritt, AudiologistKim served on CASLPO’s Board of Directors as the representative for District 3 for nine years, from 2017 to 2026, the maximum term of service. During her time on the Board, she served as Vice-Chair and chaired the Discipline Committee, now the Ontario Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists Discipline Tribunal. This role required a significant time commitment. Kim brought her extensive experience and knowledge to eight of the College’s nine committees and most recently contributed to the CASLPO Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Task Force. Her service to the College began even before her election to the Board, when she served as a non-Board member on several committees from 2010 to 2017. Throughout her leadership, Kim has made a lasting contribution to the College’s regulatory work. |
Congratulations to Jennifer, Stephanie and Kim on this well-deserved recognition! CASLPO thanks all three recipients for their dedication to professional regulation and their contributions to supporting registrants and protecting the public.
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Cyber Security Awareness Month: Using AI Safely in PracticeOctober is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is “Your best defence is you.” The campaign highlights the role we all play in protecting ourselves, our information and our organizations from evolving cyber threats.
For health professionals, this includes taking care when using technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), which may involve collecting, processing or storing personal health information.
CASLPO’s AI Guidance, published in March 2026, outlines key principles and considerations for registrants when evaluating and using AI in practice.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) also offers resources to support the responsible use of AI, including:
If you use, or are considering using, AI in your practice, take some time this month to review these resources and consider how privacy, security and your professional responsibilities apply to the tools you use.
If you have questions about AI and your practice, contact CASLPO’s Practice Advice Team.
Register for Part 2 of CASLPO’s Trauma-Informed Care E-ForumThere’s still time to register for Part 2 of CASLPO’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion E-Forum series, Trauma-Informed Care in Action. The recording of Part 1 is now available on the CASLPO website.
The two-part virtual learning series explores how trauma-informed principles can be applied in audiology and speech-language pathology practice. Part 1, Understanding Trauma-Informed Care, took place on October 14 and introduced foundational principles, including clinician self-awareness and self-regulation, creating safe and trusting clinical interactions, and supporting patient choice and empowerment.
Part 2: Trauma-Informed Care in Practice
October 28, 2026 | 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET
Part 2 will build on these principles through clinical scenarios relevant to audiology and speech-language pathology. Participants will explore practical approaches to responding to strong emotions, communicating difficult information, supporting patient and family choice, repairing challenging interactions and documenting sensitive encounters respectfully.
The session will feature Gwen Merrick, Speech-language Pathologist and Psychotherapist, and Sylvia Ciechanowski, Audiologist.
Registrants are encouraged to attend both sessions to maximize learning. Recordings will also be available following the series.
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In case you missed the September webinar on Understanding Intimate Partner Violence: Recognition, Response and Resources, the recording is now available on the CASLPO website.
The session explores the role of regulated health professionals in recognizing and responding to intimate partner violence, including risk factors, risk assessment, reporting obligations and privacy considerations.
This webinar was the result of a productive and collaborative effort between over 20 health professional Colleges to provide this important session for regulated health professionals in Ontario. An expert panel of speakers presented to 5,900 attendees.
CASLPO’s refreshed Public Register launched October 14, with a cleaner look and improved search features to help the public find registrants and access registration information.
Explore the refreshed Public Register
Canadian Patient Safety Week: Free Webinars on Collaborative CareCanadian Patient Safety Week takes place October 26–30, 2026. To mark the week, Healthcare Excellence Canada is hosting free educational webinars on this year’s theme, How Collaboration Shapes Safer Care.
The webinars may be of interest to audiologists and speech-language pathologists looking to explore how collaboration can support patient safety and improve the quality of care.
If you are unable to attend, check the Healthcare Excellence Canada website for recordings that may be available after the sessions.
The Scenario: A registrant contacted CASLPO’s Practice Advice team with questions about a pediatric patient whose parents were in the process of separating. The parents disagreed about communication intervention for their child, raising questions about who could provide consent and how the registrant should proceed.
The situation highlights common questions about confirming legal decision-making authority, communicating with separated parents and responding when parents disagree about their child’s care.
CASLPO’s Consent and Capacity Standards and Custody and Consent FAQs explain registrants’ responsibilities when obtaining informed consent.
Registrants are expected to confirm who has the legal authority to make health care decisions for a child before proceeding with intervention. A parent’s role as the primary contact does not necessarily mean they have sole legal decision-making authority.
It is every registrant's professional obligation to document their inquiries, what parents have reported, and steps they have taken. The patient record will support the registrant’s decisions and actions. The record may protect the registrant in the event that a parent provides inaccurate or untrue information, and a complaint is later made for providing care without consent.
Registrants should not rely solely on one parent’s account. They need to clarify who has legal decision-making authority. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve reviewing relevant documents, such as a court order or parenting agreement.
It is also important to distinguish between the authority to make health care decisions and the right to access information. These are not necessarily the same.
Registrants should consult CASLPO’s guidance and the relevant legal arrangements to determine the appropriate next steps. If there is uncertainty about who can consent or whether valid consent has been obtained, they should seek clarification before proceeding. It may be worth seeking legal advice, as well.
The Health Care Consent Act, 1996 and CASLPO’s Consent and Capacity Standards do not set a specific timeframe for renewing informed consent. However, new informed consent is needed when relevant information changes, including when the person with legal authority to provide consent changes or the goals or approach to intervention are modified.
Registrants can help manage this risk by asking parents or other legally responsible individuals to notify them of changes to legal decision-making arrangements. Workplaces may also set additional requirements for reviewing consent information.
Other health care settings may follow different processes, but this does not change the requirements that apply to CASLPO registrants. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists in Ontario must follow CASLPO’s standards, and all regulated health professionals in Ontario must comply with the Health Care Consent Act, 1996.
Before providing intervention, confirm who has legal authority to consent. Do not rely solely on who initiates contact with the clinic or on one parent’s account of the custody arrangements.
Registrants are responsible for using their professional judgment to apply the standards to their individual practice.
For more information, visit CASLPO’s Consent and Capacity Standards and Custody and Consent FAQs.
If you have questions, contact CASLPO’s Practice Advice Team.
© 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.
