CASLPO News

New Resources to Help the Public Understand Hearing Care in Ontario

The College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) has launched new resources to help Ontarians better understand hearing and balance care.

Hearing healthcare in Ontario can involve different types of professionals. It is not always clear who is regulated, what each provider does, or when to seek assessment. These new "For Patients" resources provide clear, practical information to support informed decision-making.

The resources include:

• Hearing Healthcare in Ontario – Understanding Who Does What
  Explains the roles of professionals involved in hearing care, including audiologists, physicians, and hearing instrument practitioners (HIPs). While all may be involved in hearing care, only audiologists and physicians are regulated in Ontario and permitted to prescribe hearing aids. The resource outlines what patients can expect from each provider.
• Accessing Hearing and Balance Care for Your Child
  Describes when to seek help for a child’s hearing or balance concern and why timely assessment by a regulated professional, such as a physician or audiologist, is important. Early identification supports speech, language, learning, and social development.
• What to Consider Before Using Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
  Outlines when OTC hearing aids may be appropriate, when they may not be suitable, and why consultation with a regulated health professional is still important.

Why CASLPO Created These Resources

CASLPO regulates audiologists (AUDs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in Ontario. As part of its public protection mandate, CASLPO developed these resources to provide clear information about hearing care and help Ontarians make safe, informed decisions.

The College created the materials with input from practice advisors, Board members, healthcare system partners, and its Citizen’s Advisory Group, which represents patients and caregivers. Their input reinforced the need for practical, easy-to-understand information.

These resources are intended to support informed discussions and encourage care from appropriately regulated professionals.

Questions?

Questions or feedback about these resources may be directed to Samidha Joglekar, Deputy Registrar, at [email protected].