About Brindabella Hearing & Speech Centre
Welcome to Brindabella Hearing & Speech Centre, providing Canberra ACT and surrounds with the broadest range of hearing, speech, language and balance services and products. Every service is conducted by a university qualified Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist.
Brindabella Hearing & Speech Centre is proudly independent to offer you the best solutions from the world's top brands. We never, ever pay commissions or set employee targets on hearing aid fittings or any other product or service. Our philosophy is to provide you with professional assessment, advice and options so you make informed decisions.
On this page
- A brief history of Brindabella Speech & Hearing Centre
- Qualifications, accreditations, awards and government provider status
- Premises and equipment
- Community and environment
- Meet our staff
A brief history of Brindabella Speech & Hearing Centre
Brindabella Hearing Centre was established in 2004 with a vision to provide Canberra ACT and surrounds with a broad range of diagnostic and rehabilitative hearing services. While we have always been located in the medical district of Deakin, we have had to move premises 4 times to accommodate our growth in staff and services.
In 2006, after significant research and planning, diagnostic services for children with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD, or APD) were introduced. This was a first for Canberra.
Prior to 2007, patients with vestibular (balance) problems had to travel to Sydney for objective assessments. Responding to a strong desire in the medical community, especially amongst Canberra's Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) specialists, Brindabella Hearing & Speech Centre invested in the skills and equipment to bring this needed service to Canberra.
Then in 2009, building on the CAPD assessments, a Speech-Language Pathologist was added to the team to provide treatment options, followed by a second in 2010 and third in 2012 as our services expanded to include in-classroom speech and language support and a school holiday program for children aged 4-7. It was also at this time we moved into our current premises and renamed ourselves to reflect the expansion into speech and language services: Brindabella Hearing & Speech Centre.
In 2011 we tendered and were awarded the contract to provide hearing and speech services to the new Queanbeyan GP Super Clinic. Services commenced in July for 1-2 days per week and we expect this may increase with demand over time.
In 2013 we began operating part-time from the Calwell Medical Centre in partnership with Ochre Health.
In 2014 we opened doors at our second permanent, full-time clinic in Bruce at the Health Hub building on the University of Canberra campus.
In 2015 we opened doors at our third permanent, full-time clinic in Erindale, relocating from the Calwell facility. We also began offering the Hanen Program 'It Takes Two to Talk' for parents.
In 2016 we moved suites at our Bruce location, doubling our capacity there. We also ran our first Social Skills Group, a weekly school-term based therapy group for teenagers.
In 2018 we began offering speech pathology services on a part-time basis from rooms at Ochre Health in Casey, Gungahlin. We also ran our first Literacy School Holiday Program.
In 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, we opened a new permanent full-time clinic in Harrison, bringing much needed services to this vibrant and growing northern ACT region.
Qualifications, accreditations, awards and government provider status
Every service is conducted by a university qualified, professionally active Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist.
Brindabella Hearing & Speech Centre holds the following accreditations:
- Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP) provider
www.hearingservices.gov.au [external link] - National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider
www.ndis.gov.au [external link] - Medicare Benefits Schedule Primary Care Items (formerly Enhanced Primary Care)
www.health.gov.au/mbsprimarycareitems [external link]
For more information please read our page on government schemes.
Premises and equipment
Our permanent clinics are located in the heart of Canberra's Deakin, Bruce, Harrison & Erindale medical districts. We have invested in custom fit-outs to ensure our clinics are fit-for-purpose; for example, all consulting room walls and ceilings have soundproofing applied in addition to having sound booths in the audiology rooms.
Our diagnostic equipment and software is modern, capable and comprehensive. All consulting rooms are equipped with laptops for accessible and comfortable client consultation. Our Speech-Language Pathologists are equipped with iPads due to the availability of applications that engage with and elicit response from children and adults.
We also have portable equipment for use in home visits and when our health professionals perform consultations at the Queanbeyan clinic, which is also equipped with children's furniture and a soundproof hearing booth.
Community and environment
Brindabella Hearing & Speech Centre has long been a supporter of community events including Hearing Awareness Week and Seniors Week where we have had a continuous presence since 2004. We have conducted free awareness seminars for both medical professionals and the general public.
We are committed to helping the environment. In addition to our premises having a respectable environmental rating, we strive to reduce paper use where possible and encourage active recycling.
Meet our staff
Mandy Nyhof BA, Grad Dip Aud, MAudiology, MAudA (CCP). Audiologist and Practice Manager. Prior to starting Brindabella Hearing & Speech Centre, Mandy gained extensive experience in both diagnostic and rehabilitative roles around Australia and overseas.
Audiology Team
Eryn Zucco BHlthSc (Hearing & Speech), MClinAud, AAudA. Audiology Team Leader.
Hannah Thomas BSpHearingSc, MClinAud, AAudA. Audiology Assistant Team Leader.
Sophie Robinson BSc (Hons) Audiology, AAudA. Audiologist.
Kaela Cachia BAppSc, MClinAud, AAudA. Audiologist.
Dianne Burgess BAppSc, MAudSt, AAudA. Audiologist.
Naomi Scott BA MJD-PSYDM, MClinAud, AAudA. Audiologist.
Ieren Modabberi BAud, MClinAud, AAudA. Audiologist.
Helen Bishop BSpHLSc, MClinAud, AAudA. Audiologist.
Speech-Language Pathology Team
Lori Drennan MA, MSPA, CPSP. Speech Pathology Team Leader. Estill Voice International trained: Level 1 Figures for Voice Control and Level 2 Figure Combinations for Six Vocal Qualities.
Rebecca De Costa BHlthSc (SpeechPath), CPSP. Speech Pathology Assistant Team Leader.
Frances Simpson M.SPath, CPSP. Speech-Language Pathologist.
Janice Chan M.SpPath, CPSP. Speech-Language Pathologist.
Cass Perry BHSci, M.SPath, CPSP. Speech-Language Pathologist.
Francia Ysabell Uy MSpeechPath, MSPA, CPSP. Speech-Language Pathologist.
Anna Vandenbrouck. Allied Health Assistant.
Administration Team
Liana Jessop. Administration Team Leader.
Alyssa Sherd. Administration Team Leader.
Brianna Lopes. Audiology Coordinator.
Madison Leung. Speech Coordinator.
Matt Kennedy. Logistics & Inventory Coordinator.
Victoria Andrews. Receptionist.
Faith Blinksell. Receptionist.
Ruby Murdoch. Receptionist.
Kristina Little. Receptionist.
Teju Tammineni. Receptionist.
Mia Smith. Receptionist.
