Hearing News

Saskatchewan’s 2026 amendments to its hearing aid regulations formally recognize over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. Adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss can now buy OTC hearing aids online or in stores, without the hearing test required by licensed hearing aid dealers. Warbler Series 7 hearing aids are Health Canada licensed, can be self-fitted with the Warbler Clarity app, and ship anywhere in Saskatchewan.

For adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, a well-designed OTC hearing aid can be a very good and considerably more affordable option. Results depend on the technology, the fitting and the support available after purchase. Warbler Series 7 hearing aids can be self-fitted with the Warbler Clarity app or professionally programmed from your audiogram by a hearing instrument specialist, with remote adjustments when needed.

OTC hearing aids and hearing amplifiers are not the same. A basic amplifier mainly makes sound louder, while a properly programmed hearing aid provides different amounts of amplification at different frequencies based on the wearer's hearing. Warbler Series 7 hearing aids can be self-fitted with the Warbler Clarity app or professionally programmed from your audiogram by a hearing instrument specialist.

For many people with hearing loss, the biggest challenge isn't hearing sound. It's understanding speech when there is noise around them, especially in restaurants, family gatherings and social events. Turning up the volume alone rarely solves the problem. Hearing aids with directional microphones and noise reduction, like the Warbler Series 7, are designed to help speech stand out from competing sound.

OTC (over-the-counter) and clinic hearing aids differ mainly in how hearing care is delivered  remotely or in person rather than in the underlying quality of the devices. Warbler Hearing combines the accessibility of the OTC model with professional programming and remote follow-up support for Canadian adults with mild-to-moderate hearing needs.

In Canada in 2026, a pair of hearing aids can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $8,000, depending mainly on the technology and the professional services bundled with the device rather than the hearing aid alone. Traditional clinic pairs commonly run $2,000–$8,000+, while OTC and direct-to-consumer options are considerably cheaper. Warbler Hearing's Series 7 offers professionally programmed, rechargeable OTC hearing aids at $999 CAD per pair, backed by a 45-day risk-free trial and remote follow-up support.

Ontario has been considering a major shift in hearing care, and other provinces are already moving. British Columbia and Saskatchewan now allow over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, while Ontario is still reviewing its options. Here's where things actually stand today.