Get to know: Dr Heidi Modrovich 

Dr Heidi Modrovich is chief executive officer and principal audiologist at Ability Hearing and Balance. Heidi graduated from the University of Melbourne as an audiologist in 2001. She has worked across Australia in the private sector of audiology for much of her career. In 2007, together with her partner Nick, Heidi founded Ability Hearing and Balance, which now operates seven audiology clinics across Tasmania. 

Heidi graduated from the University of Tasmania’s Master of Business Administration program as the highest achieving graduate of 2015, earning her the prestigious W.O. McCarthy Academic Medal. Besides her role as an audiologist, Heidi is also a business coach and mentor, a qualified hypnotherapist, and a neuro-linguistic programming mindset coach. She serves on the Tasmanian Health Senate and the executive committee of Independent Audiologists Australia, and is a member of Primary Health Tasmania’s new Allied Health Network Advisory Group. 

Why is audiology important, and what role does it play in primary health care?  

Hearing loss affects approximately one in six Tasmanians. Uncorrected hearing loss can have long-term impacts on physical, cognitive, behavioural, and social wellbeing.  

Audiology plays a pivotal role in primary health care for Tasmanians of all ages, as healthy hearing is essential not just for speech and language development in children but also for maintaining social engagement as we age.  

Hearing loss, an ‘invisible’ disability, should be a primary consideration in health settings, given the vital role of communication in forming and maintaining relationships, which are pivotal for emotional wellbeing.  

Do you find that people who may have hearing problems avoid or put off having a test? If so, why?  

I have observed a significant shift in community attitudes towards hearing problems over my 20-year career.  

There is still a stigma associated with hearing loss and ageing, and many people delay getting a hearing test for this reason.  

Our ability to hear and understand conversations depends greatly on the environments we are in. For instance, people with age-related hearing loss often hear just fine in quiet situations but struggle in noisy settings like restaurants, leading to delays in seeking a hearing assessment as they feel they can still manage well. It is usually their partners who get frustrated by having to repeat themselves. 

Interestingly, I have noticed that people are now getting their hearing tested at younger ages (40-50 years) as they seek to establish a baseline for their hearing health and are more willing to embrace technology that improves overall wellbeing. 

It is important to understand that we ‘listen’ with our brains, which need sensory input from healthy ears to function effectively. People who address their hearing loss early often have better outcomes with hearing technology, as the neural pathways remain intact. The recent approval of devices like Apple AirPods as hearing aids under the Therapeutic Goods Administration is likely to have a positive impact on public awareness about hearing health. 

What inspired you to be on the Allied Health Network Advisory Group? 

Currently, audiology is a self-regulated profession and not recognised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency, leading to underrepresentation of audiology and audiologists in healthcare discussions, even in discussions for allied health professionals.  

This lack of recognition often excludes audiologists from important advocacy discussions, leaving us without a seat at the table, despite the critical nature of hearing—one of our five major senses.  

This realisation inspired my involvement with the Allied Health Advisory Network and my advocacy efforts as vice president of the Independent Audiologists Australia and as a member of the Tasmanian Health Senate, to raise awareness of the significant role audiologists play in promoting healthy hearing across all age groups in Tasmania. 

What is something you wish primary healthcare providers understood about audiology?  

If I had a magic wand, I would want primary healthcare providers to understand the devastating psychosocial impact of uncorrected hearing loss.  

I wish more providers would refer patients for audiology assessments and better understand the variety of treatment options available for conditions like tinnitus.  

Some audiologists specialise in conditions such as auditory processing disorders. We are often not the first point of contact for hearing, vestibular, and ear-related issues. I advocate for a more multidisciplinary and collaborative approach for patients who would greatly benefit from an audiology referral. This could also lead to improved funding for audiology services for our patients.  

What symptoms should health professionals and the community be mindful of in suspected hearing loss?  

Symptoms such as bothersome tinnitus warrant a referral to an audiologist trained in tinnitus management. It’s crucial not to dismiss tinnitus symptoms simply because there is no definitive cure; this isn’t the best way to counsel a patient.  

Hearing loss symptoms are often similar to those of dementia. In my opinion, hearing assessments should be included in the battery of tests used to screen for cognitive decline. A patient’s family or partner may first notice the hearing loss and this can often cause frustrations due to communication breakdowns. 

It is also advisable to include family as part of the audiology consultation. 

A patient might not experience any difficulties hearing a health professional in a quiet consultation room, but if they report challenges in noisy environments, this is a clear indication for an audiology assessment.  

Regarding vestibular issues and complaints of vertigo, functional vestibular testing can differentiate between peripheral and central pathologies to aid in management.  

I hope that the Tasmanian primary health community will prioritise audiology for collaborative referrals and recognise that audiologists do much more than just fit hearing aids. 

The Allied Health Network Advisory Group 

Primary Health Tasmania facilitates the Allied Health Network Advisory Group, made up of 13 Tasmanian allied health professionals who work within the primary healthcare sector.  

Members meet quarterly to discuss sector-related issues and promote networking, collaboration, and professional development.  

The group focuses on promoting and coordinating person-centred primary health care, significantly enhancing health outcomes for Tasmanians.  

Primary Health Tasmania encourages representation from a diverse range of allied health professions to expand the collective impact.  

Learn more about our work with allied health here.  

This story features in Issue 20 of our Primary Health Matters magazine. Click here to read the rest of the issue.