The vestibular organ is the portion of the inner ear responsible for our balance function. It is divided into five compartments: the utricle and saccule (known as the otolith organs) plus three semi-circular canals - the lateral (or horizontal), superior (or anterior) and posterior. Each part of this complex organ work as sensors that detect different body and head positions and movement. These sensors send electrical signals to the brain via the vestibular nerve where the information is processed giving us awareness of our body's position in space and helping us to keep our posture and equilibrium. Any damage or disorder affecting any part of the vestibular organ will cause some balance disturbance ranging from mild loss of balance to severe dizziness and vertigo. Different disorders and diseases of the ear can affect the vestibular system causing a variety of balance disturbances including accidental falls. Accurate diagnosis to ascertain the site of the lesion is mandatory for the effective treatment and management of these conditions.

The most common ear disorders affecting the vestibular system are endolymphatic hydrops, as in Meniere's syndrome, auto immune disease, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, semi-circular canal dehiscence (SCD), large vestibular aquaduct syndrome, vestibular migraine, cervicogenic dizziness, persistent postural perception dizziness (PPPD) and acoustic neuroma (benign tumour on the auditory or vestibular nerve) amongst others. Some of these conditions may also affect the hearing system causing hearing loss from very mild and mostly undetected to very severe, as well as the perception of tinnitus (noises in the affected ear).

Our clinic accepts referrals from GPs and specialists attracting a Medicare rebate. Our Audiologists work in collaboration with ENT specialists, Neurologists, Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Nutritionists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Psychologists to provide the most appropriate treatment for each individual patient.

For further information on dizziness and vertigo conditions please see here.