A slider having an air bearing surface is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. A writer of the slider comprises a writer coil. A current source is configured to supply a modulated writer current at a first predetermined frequency to the writer coil. A writer heater is situated proximate the writer and configured to thermally actuate a writer region of the air bearing surface. A contact sensor is situated proximate the writer coil and configured to sense temperature changes indicative of changes in spacing and contact between the slider and a magnetic recording medium. A signal produced by the contact sensor oscillates at the first predetermined frequency. A detector is coupled to the contact sensor. The detector is configured to detect contact between the thermally actuated writer region and the medium using the contact sensor signal.