Audience Hearing is an independent audiology practice with clinics in Liverpool, Leppington and Mount Annan. Mohammed brings medical and corporate hearing industry experience from India and Australia. He now divides his time between treating patients and managing the business, staff and community partnerships.

His work is guided by three key values: care, curiosity and creativity. He aims to help people reconnect with sounds and conversations they may have been missing.

What inspired you to work in audiology, and what keeps you motivated?

Mohammed said he did not originally plan to enter audiology, but his interest grew as he gained more experience. What motivates him most is seeing how quickly hearing care can improve someone's quality of life.

He explained that many people do not realise they have hearing difficulties or believe they do not need hearing aids. His work involves identifying concerns that patients may overlook, from earwax build-up and childhood glue ear to tinnitus and hearing loss.

He also highlighted the importance of looking beyond the reason for a patient's appointment to understand what may be affecting their hearing and overall wellbeing.

What hearing problems can audiologists help with, and when should people seek support?

Audiologists can help with a range of ear and hearing concerns, including:

• Earwax build-up and blocked ears
• Muffled hearing and difficulty following conversations
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
• Dizziness and balance problems
• Hearing difficulties in children and adults

Their work also includes preventing hearing damage through advice on ear care and the use of hearing protection.

Depending on a person's needs, treatment may involve hearing aids, bone conduction devices or cochlear implant rehabilitation. Mohammed also highlighted that tinnitus can be managed with appropriate treatment and support from audiologists.

What do people often misunderstand about audiology and its role in primary care?

Mohammed explained that hearing assessments involve much more than measuring how well someone can hear. They can also help identify signs of conditions such as cholesteatoma and acoustic neuroma.

Audiologists use different tests to assess the hearing and balance systems and determine what further care may be needed. This could include a referral to a GP or ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, or treatment through hearing aids, tinnitus therapy or cochlear implants.

He warned that hearing loss can develop slowly, often affecting high-frequency sounds first. This means people may not notice changes until the condition has progressed.

Mohammed also pointed to research linking even mild hearing loss with a higher risk of falls and dementia. He encouraged people to have a baseline hearing assessment in their 50s and continue regular checks afterwards.

What makes South Western Sydney a good place to work in healthcare?

Mohammed said choosing South Western Sydney for the practice was a deliberate decision. The region's growing population and cultural diversity provide opportunities to work with people from different age groups and backgrounds.

The practice supports children, working-age adults and older people, often within the same family. This variety also makes clear communication across different languages and cultures an important part of patient care.

He encouraged healthcare professionals to consider working in the region, highlighting its growth, diverse patient needs and opportunities to build lasting relationships within the community.

How can healthcare professionals improve multidisciplinary care?

Mohammed believes good multidisciplinary care means considering a patient's overall health and quality of life rather than focusing on one concern alone.

He said healthcare professionals should recognise when a patient needs support from another specialist and make referrals when a concern falls outside their area of expertise.

For example, physiotherapists may refer patients with ongoing dizziness for vestibular testing if an inner ear problem is suspected. Similarly, dentists may seek hearing assessments because of their regular exposure to dental equipment noise.

He believes greater awareness of hearing health is also needed, as some people still associate hearing loss only with ageing and may avoid seeking help.

Mohammed would also like to see local medical and allied health professionals meet regularly to share knowledge and updates from their respective fields.

What achievement are you most proud of?

One case that stands out involved a patient who visited the clinic for a routine hearing aid consultation despite having no obvious symptoms or concerns.

During the assessment, the team identified an advanced cholesteatoma. The patient was referred for urgent care and underwent surgery. Mohammed said the early detection may have saved the patient's life.

He described the experience as a reminder that audiologists do more than assess hearing and fit devices. Their work can also help identify serious conditions that patients may not know they have.

He is also proud that Audience Hearing has grown in less than two years to operate three clinics across South Western Sydney and another on the South Coast. The practice also provides services to residents at three major aged care centres in the region.

The team aims to see aged care residents within one week of receiving a request, while maintaining the same standard of care offered at its clinics.

What do you enjoy doing outside work?

Away from audiology, Mohammed enjoys amateur DJing, playing cricket and cooking street food. He also likes watching television series, although he tries to keep it from taking up too much of his free time.

He has a strong interest in professional coaching and public speaking.

Allied Health Spotlight: How Audiology Supports Better Hearing and Quality of Life

Source: South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWS PHN) – Spotlight on Allied Health.