Dizziness & Balance Disorders Centre, in Adelaide’s CBD, accepts referrals from medical and allied health professionals for patients presenting with any of over 45 vestibular, neurological and paediatric balance conditions. Led by physiotherapist Professor Dr Margie H Sharpe, private patients may also self-refer without needing a GP referral.
Clinicians
In Australian adults, around one in four report dizziness or vertigo in any given year, rising to more than one in three among those aged 50 and over. Dizziness is a common reason for medical consultation, prompting around 1.8% of adults to see a physician for a new episode each year.
Reference: ten-year incidence data from the Blue Mountains Eye and Hearing Studies, Australia.
The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved with controlling balance and eye movements. If disease or injury damages these processing areas, vestibular disorders can result. Vestibular disorders can also result from, or be worsened by, genetic or environmental conditions, or occur for unknown reasons.
When to consider referral
Dizziness & Balance Disorders Centre assesses and treats a wide range of neurological, peripheral and paediatric vestibular presentations — including BPPV, Ménière’s disease, vestibular neuritis, vestibular migraine, and prolonged/motion-triggered Mal de Débarquement Syndrome. The full list of conditions assessed and treated is available on our Disorders page.
The Centre is led by Professor Dr Margie H Sharpe, a registered physiotherapist (AHPRA, Physiotherapy Board of Australia) working exclusively in vestibular and balance rehabilitation, based at Level 2, 70 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide. Diagnostic assessment includes infrared video Frenzel goggles and video Head Impulse Testing (vHIT).
Private patients do not require a referral from a medical practitioner — they may self-refer, or be referred by an Allied Health Professional. For guidance on how to refer a patient, see our Referrals page, or contact the Centre directly.
Fact sheets
For further background, the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) publishes the following patient and clinician resources, shared here for your convenience:
Causes of Dizziness — defines vertigo, dizziness, and disequilibrium, and explains common causes.
Vestibular Disorders: An Overview — describes vestibular system function, symptoms, causes of damage, specific disorder types, and common diagnostic tests and treatments.
How Do I Know if I Have a Balance Disorder? — explains the difference between dizziness, vertigo, and disequilibrium, and offers questions to help a person decide whether to seek medical help.
For more information, visit vestibular.org.