CAA News
Canadian Academy of Audiology Releases Position Statement on Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
CNW Group
Mon, June 2, 2025 at 12:07 p.m. EDT
TORONTO, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) has released an updated position statement outlining its perspective on the use and regulation of Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids in Canada. This follows recent developments in the United States and Health Canada's licensing of the Apple AirPods Pro II as a Class II medical device for hearing support.
The CAA acknowledges the potential benefits of OTC hearing devices for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. When used appropriately, these products may offer increased accessibility and support for individuals seeking to improve their hearing and communication. However, the Academy emphasizes that OTC hearing aids are not suitable for all users or all types of hearing loss, and that professional evaluation remains essential.
The position statement highlights several key concerns, including the risk of hearing damage due to unsafe sound levels. Like other sound-producing devices such as consumer earphones, OTC hearing aids may produce high volumes that could worsen existing hearing loss or lead to new damage. To mitigate this risk, the CAA advocates for stronger regulation and clearer labelling of OTC hearing aids and other consumer audio devices to ensure safety and informed consumer decision-making.
The CAA underscores the importance of consulting with an audiologist before purchasing or using OTC hearing aids. Audiologists are regulated healthcare professionals with advanced university training and are best positioned to assess hearing, provide evidence-based recommendations, and guide individuals toward appropriate care solutions.
The statement also notes that OTC devices are not intended to treat all levels of hearing loss. They are primarily suitable for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss and may not be effective or safe for individuals with more complex hearing needs. Because these devices are not designed for customization by professionals, there is limited ability to adjust them if they are poorly matched to an individual's hearing profile.
The updated position statement comes amid growing interest in OTC hearing solutions following regulatory changes in the United States and the Canadian licensing of multifunctional consumer devices with hearing-assistance features.
The CAA continues to support innovations that improve access to hearing care while prioritizing patient safety, informed choice, and the essential role of audiologists in hearing health.
Public information and position statement canadianaudiology.ca/awareness
Other media outlets, such as the Globe and Mail have also promoted this Position Paper. The link can be found at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/markets-news/Newswire.ca/32680572/canadian-academy-of-audiology-releases-position-statement-on-over-the-counter-otc-hearing-aids/
1. NOW OPEN: Early Bird Registration - CAA Conference 2025
CAA is excited to announce that early bird registration is now open for the CAA Conference 2025, taking place on from Wednesday, Oct 15 to Saturday Oct 18, in Blue Mountains, ON at the Blue Mountain Village Conference Centre.
The conference will kick off with three exciting pre-conference workshops, offering in-depth learning opportunities designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in key areas of audiology. Attendees can also look forward to a full conference program with an exceptional lineup of sessions with renowned speakers. Please visit the conference website for details of our exciting program and activities. All registration, hotel, transportation and tourism information are also available on the website. Early bird pricing is available until Thursday, June 19th, 2025
Conference webpage: https://canadianaudiology.ca/what-we-do/conference/
2. CAA Fast Facts: ( This is only accessible by CAA Members, so they have to login to view them.)
The Canadian Academy of Audiology is excited to begin a new program offering CAA Fast Facts for Primary Care. These are brief documents accessible by CAA members to share with their Primary Care professionals in daily clinic practise. We envision them being used to give key information on a general relevant topic Primary Practitioners can use to support caring for their patients. We also see Audiologists adding these to patient summaries or referrals to quickly support education on a focussed clinical issue.
CAA Fast Facts for Primary Care are available as an easily shared document. We have added a second set of documents that can be personalized with a space for a clinician to add a logo and contact information for the clinic.
Link: https://canadianaudiology.ca/professional-resources/marketing-resources/
3. Dr. Steve Aiken answers questions on CBC's Maritime Noon Podcast
Listen to CAA's Dr. Steve Aiken from Dalhousie Universityanswer questions on hearing health and management with public callers. Dr Aiken was on the CBC podcast Maritime Noon Phone in with Bob Murphy.Dr. Aiken's call in starts at 17:45 minutes - https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-38-maritime-noon/clip/16143260-on-phone-in-steve-aiken-professor-audiology-answers-listeners
4. Call Clinical-Research Grant Applications
https://canadianaudiology.ca/what-we-do/conference/clinical-research-grant
Deadline - August 6, 2024.
5. Call for Contributed Poster and Podium Abstracts
https://canadianaudiology.ca/what-we-do/conference/call-for-abstracts
Deadline - July14th, 2025, at 5PM ET
We may have 1 more item to share. It is being finalized so I will forward if it’s completed on time.
Meet Our New Executive Director: Ann M. McSweeney
The Board of Directors of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ann McSweeney to the position of Executive Director, effective May 1, 2025. Ann’s 35+ years of experience in leadership, operations management, risk management, fundraising, program development and strategic planning in the non-profit sector in Ottawa and Champlain District make her particularly well-suited to take CHHA into our next chapter.
Ann joins our dedicated team of staff and volunteers as we look to ensure organizational sustainability and expand programming that advances our mission to create accessible, connected and equitable communities for Canadians with hearing loss. As a leading national support organization, we remain committed to our organizational values of equity and inclusion, collaboration, trust and with Ann’s leadership, we are confident we will continue to accomplish great things nationally.
Please join us in welcoming Ann to CHHA.
About Ann McSweeney
Ann McSweeney’s extensive career in the non-profit sector, namely Executive Director of iSisters Technology Mentoring Inc., Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, The Good Companions Seniors Centre, is strengthened by a lifelong passion for improving the lives of individuals in the community, and a belief of people supporting each other to enact positive change.
A senior leader with demonstrated success in relationship building and creating change within non-profits, Ann believes that when Canadians with hearing loss are thriving, everyone benefits.
Ann has received commendations from Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa, Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and congratulatory messages on past accomplishments from MPPs: Lisa MacLeod, Chandra Arya, and Joel Harden. She received the Award of Excellence from the Champlain Community Access Centre, Author of Information Systems for Patient Care and Health Informatics (hardcover publications), co-pioneered the first Canadian computer software that is used in physicians’ offices today for appointment scheduling, medical records and billing/accounting. But most of all, she holds dear the many Thank Yous from diverse and vulnerable individuals within the community who have benefited from her advocacy and compassion.
Her support for underserved individuals has led to the development of new and unique programs that have assisted many to move forward and gain success in their lives.
“It has been my mission to provide those I serve with the tools and support they need to not only improve their own lives but their communities overall. I look forward to working collaboratively with such an esteemed board of directors, staff, volunteers and consultants as CHHA continues to help advance economic independence nationally for those Canadians with hearing loss.”
— Ann McSweeney
In This Issue
Now Open Early Bird Registration CAA Conference 2025
NEW Spotlight on Conference: Pre-Conference Workshops
NEW CAA Accessibility Poster and Booklet Resources
CAA Fast Facts for Primary Care
CAA Position Statement on OTC devices
NEW CAA's Jillian Price Talks Hearing Health on Breakfast Television
Dr. Aiken Answers Questions on CBC's Maritime Noon Podcast
CAA Resources of Awareness Videos
Rising Star Award Nomination Open
Call for CAA Award Nominations
Get Involved! Become a CAA Board Member!
Call for Contributed Podium and Poster Abstracts
Call for Clinical Research Grant Applications
Career Postings
Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner or Audiologist
Qualicum Beach, BC
Field Trainer – West
Remote, Vancouver, BC
Field Trainer – West
Remote
Clinical Audiologist
Kentville, NS
Audiologist
Metro Vancouver, BC; Dauphin & Brandon, MB; New Glasgow, Halifax, NS
NOW OPEN: Early Bird Registration
CAA Conference 2025
CAA is excited to announce that early bird registration is now open for the CAA Conference 2025, taking place on from Wednesday, Oct 15 to Saturday Oct 18, in Blue Mountains, ON at the Blue Mountain Village Conference Centre.
The conference will kick off with three exciting pre-conference workshops, offering in-depth learning opportunities designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in key areas of audiology. Attendees can also look forward to a full conference program with an exceptional lineup of sessions with renowned speakers. Please visit the conference website for details of our exciting program and activities. All registration, hotel, transportation and tourism information are also available on the website.
REGISTER HERE
Early bird pricing is available until Thursday, June 19th, 2025
CAA Members get special pricing. Join or Renew your membership today!
Conference Spotlight
Pre-Conference Workshops
Join us on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at the CAA Conference 2025 for one of our 3 Pre-Conference Workshops. Please note the unique timing for each workshop.
Pre-Con A: Tinnitus Management Workshop presented by Philippe Fournier and Pierre Bourez from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the mechanisms and clinical presentations of tinnitus, including the role of the auditory and non-auditory systems.
- Conduct a thorough tinnitus case history and administer validated subjective assessment tools (e.g., THI, TFI).
- Perform and interpret psychoacoustic measurements related to tinnitus (e.g., pitch and loudness matching).
- Evaluate middle ear involvement in tinnitus, with an understanding of relevant assessment techniques.
- Apply evidence-informed tinnitus management strategies, including sound therapy and counseling techniques.
- Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary care, using real clinical cases to develop and adapt individualized management plans.
Pre-Con B: The Marketing Edge: Unlocking Brand Power in a Digital World – An Immersive Workshop on Branding, Social Media, and Digital Strategy presented by Susan McGuire from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Learning Objectives:
- Build Your Brand Foundation
Understand how branding drives every part of your marketing strategy. Learn to define and express a clear, authentic brand identity that resonates with your audience and sets you apart. - Elevate Your Social Media Presence
Move beyond the basics of posting. Discover how to create engaging short-form video content (like reels) that’s aligned with your brand and designed to build real connections, with tools and tactics that are strategic, not complicated. - Create a Winning Digital Strategy
Integrate your brand and content efforts into a cohesive, results-driven digital strategy tailored to your business goals. You’ll leave with a practical framework to grow your presence and drive impact.
Workshop Format: This session includes a hands-on component designed to help you apply what you learn in real time. To get the most from the workshop, participants are encouraged to come prepared with access to an active Instagram or Facebook account.
Pre-Con C: Music – The Prevention of Hearing Loss, and Hearing Aids presented by Marshall Chasin from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Learning Objectives:
Part I – Musicians and the Prevention of Hearing Loss:
- After attending this course, the participant should be able to select appropriate tests and counsel musicians regarding hearing loss prevention.
- After attending this course, the participant should be able to describe how inexpensive room modifications can be made to improve a room for music.
- After attending this course, the participant should be able to describe appropriate hearing protection and other devices to minimize the impact of music exposure.
Part II – Music and Hearing Aids:
- After attending this course, the participant should be able to select software programming that is optimized for music.
- After attending this course, the participant should be able to explain the engineering limitations of some modern hearing aids for music.
- After attending this course, the participant should be able to identify some simple clinical strategies to improve a hearing aid for music.
Accessibility Campaign: Improving Access for People Living with Hearing Loss
New Accessibility Campaign EN and FR: 10 ways people living with hearing loss can improve hearing access in their communities AND 10 ways organizations can improve hearing access for people with hearing loss. Instruction booklets for individuals and for organizations are packed with actionable recommendations. Posters have a QR code linking to the booklets.
Thanks to the team of contributors from CAA, Accessible Hearing Solutions, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, Society of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians and New Brunswick Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services with project lead Janine Verge.
Click images below to view
CAA Fast Facts for Primary Care
The Canadian Academy of Audiology is excited to begin a new program offering CAA Fast Facts for Primary Care. These are brief documents accessible by CAA members to share with their Primary Care professionals in daily clinic practise. We envision them being used to give key information on a general relevant topic Primary Practitioners can use to support caring for their patients. We also see Audiologists adding these to patient summaries or referrals to quickly support education on a focussed clinical issue.
CAA Fast Facts for Primary Care are available as an easily shared document. We have added a second set of documents that can be personalized with a space for a clinician to add a logo and contact information for the clinic.
More CAA Fast Facts for Primary Care will follow.
CAA Members click link to view and download CAA Fast Fact Documents (Must Login In)
CAA Position Statement on OTC devices and Sound Amplifying Products
Contributors: Marshall Chasin. AuD., Steve Aiken, PhD., Steve Armstong, B. Eng Elec., Calvin Staples, M.Sc.
Date: April 2025
CAA has published a position statement on OTC devices and Sound Amplification Products. This position statement represents the Canadian Academy of Audiology’s (CAA) position on a particular topic or area of practice. It provides a time-limited viewpoint that will be reviewed and revised as necessary when and if new information becomes available.
This document represents an update from a previous Position Statement from the CAA on a similar topic and it can be found here.
2 related documents exclusive to members (must login to access):
- Click for Backgrounder designed with technical information for Audiologists
- A summary sheet to share with consumers and physicians: Consumer and Physician Information - Canadian Academy of Audiology Position Statement on Over-The-Counter devices and Sound Amplifying Products
CAA Board Member Jillian Price Talks Hearing Health on Breakfast Television
As part of Hearing Awareness Month, CAA Board Member and Past President Jillian Price appeared on Breakfast Television to talk about the importance of hearing health and provides tips on how to better care of your ears.
Dr. Steve Aiken answers questions on CBC's Maritime Noon Podcast
Listen to CAA's Dr. Steve Aiken from Dalhousie University answer questions on hearing health and management with public callers. Dr Aiken was on the CBC podcast Maritime Noon Phone In with Bob Murphy.
Dr. Aiken's call in starts at 17:45 minutes - Click here to listen
CAA Resources of Awareness Videos
As CAA continues to share some of the many great resources available on our website, you are invited to watchHearing Health Awareness Video: Living with Hearing Loss, which provides a look into the experiences of individuals living with hearing loss and the challenges they face.
CAA Rising Star Award Nomination
CAA would like to announce the creation of 2 NEW early career awards, called the Rising Star Award – Clinical and the Rising Star Award – Academia/Research. These awards are to recognize clinicians and academics/researchers in their first 7-years of practice/work, who have contributed significantly to advancing the profession of Audiology.
Award Details
- Rising Star Award – Clinical recognizes a clinical audiologist in their first 7 years of post-graduation practice whose work may include single or combined contributions to clinical practice, clinical research, teaching/education, or volunteer work to advancing the profession or patient care.
- Rising Star Award – Academia/Research recognizes an Audiology academic/researcher in their first 7 years of post-graduation (Masters or Doctoral) work and may include single or combined contributions to research, teaching/education, or volunteer work to advancing the profession or patient care.
Nomination Procedure
Nominees do not have to be a CAA member to be considered for these categories however they must be a registered (or equivalent) audiologist in Canada. Registered (or equivalent) means able to practice as an audiologist in their local jurisdiction in Canada.
Nominations may be submitted by any member of the CAA and need to be seconded by a member. Nominations must include the reason for nomination with sufficient detail on the nominee’s training, background, experience, and outstanding aspects of their professional career.
To Nominate please click AWARD NOMINATION FORM
Deadline for Submissions are June 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET
Call for CAA Award Nominations!
Every year Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) honours people who have made significant contributions to the profession of Audiology. We invite you to help us identify deserving candidates by submitting nominations for consideration.
Nomination Procedure
Nominations may be submitted by any member of the Academy and need to be seconded by a member. Nominations for the Jean Kienapple Award can also be made by non-members.
Awards (see website for full description of each award)
- Moneca Price Humanitarian Award
- Paul Kuttner Pioneer Award
- Jean Kienapple Award for Clinical Excellence
- William Cole Industry Award
- Honours of the Academy
- Richard Seewald Career Award
Nominees do not have to be a CAA member to be considered for these categories.
Nominations must include the reason for nomination with sufficient detail on the nominee’s training, background, experience, and outstanding aspects of their professional career. This will allow the Awards Committee to evaluate the nomination. For the Jean Kienapple Award, nominations should include testimonials from clients or other individuals impacted by the nominee.
*Student Awards, and the President’s Award have separate nomination procedures.
Deadline for Submissions are June 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET
AWARD NOMINATION FORM
See our 2024 award winners!
Get Involved! Become a CAA Board Member!
2 Weeks To Deadline
CAA is looking for 2 strong advocates to become involved in providing leadership to our profession. We are looking for individuals with a strong sense of determination, energy, and enthusiasm to become active in the continued success of our organization.
The Board of Directors is comprised of audiologists with a broad range of skills, specialties, and professional experience from across Canada. To ensure that this broad mix is maintained we are looking for individuals to represent skillsets we will be missing next year due to retirement of some board terms.
This year, preference will be given to Audiologists with strong interest and specialty in the areas below:
- Current clinical practice in cochlear and other implantable devices
- Current private practice business owner
- University faculty
- Priority will also be given to representation from Quebec or the East Coast
For more information visit our Board Nominations Page. Download Nomination Form.
Deadline for nominations: June 6th, 2025
Call for Contributed Podium and Poster Abstracts
The Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) invites all clinicians, students, researchers, educators, policy makers and other professional or health care providers working with hearing or balance to submit original research for presentation (by poster and/or at the podium) at the annual CAA Conference 2023. Submissions will be reviewed for acceptance by the CAA Science and Education Committee (SaEC). Posters may be eligible for entry into the Outstanding Student Research Awards held during the conference.
General Requirements for Contributed Poster and Podium Presentations
- Abstract and presentation content must be original scientific research
- Abstracts may be submitted in either English or in French, but the podium presentations and posters must be presented in English
- Applicants must submit an abstract and application online to CAA by the deadline date (July 14th, 2025 at 5PM ET)
Click here for more information
Call for Clinical Research Grant Applications
The CAA Clinical Research Grant will provide support, both financial and practical, to individuals wanting to investigate a unique research question on hearing and/or balance. The successful applicant will receive the support of the CAA Science and Education Committee (SaEC) to help coordinate access to the proper resources (e.g., equipment, people, processes) to see the project to completion. Access to advanced testing facilities or established research personnel and mentors is not an application requirement.
Award
- One award of up to $5,000 or two awards of up to $2,500.
- Free registration for one applicant per award at a future CAA conference of his/her choosing within five years of the award to present his/her findings during the CAA Poster and/or Podium Sessions
Application Deadline: August 6, 2024.
Click here for more information