Bendigo residents living with dizziness and vertigo can learn about symptoms, treatment options and research during a free seminar at Bendigo Community Health Services on September 9.

Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital balance disorders lead Doctor David Szmulewicz will host the seminar.

The Temporal Bone Donor Society and Melbourne University will use the seminar to increase understanding of temporal bone donation.

Society founder and president Doctor Tamar Black said the temporal bone housed the inner ear and controlled the body’s balance and hearing systems.

“Many people suffer with very debilitating and frustrating balance and/or hearing disorders because they do not know what specialist medical treatment is available through public hospitals like the Eye and Ear,” Dr Black said.

“These disorders frequently impact on quality of life and mental health, and effect the patients’ families and significant others.”

Dr Black said the ‘after-life’ donation of a temporal bone allowed researchers to improve medical treatment and cochlear implants by learning more about clinical balance and hearing disorders.

“We hope to reduce barriers to seeking treatment and increase rates of temporal bone donation,” she said.

Dr Black said anyone registering as a donor could donate a DNA sample which may result in early detection of these disorders in their children or siblings.

More information about temporal bone donation can be found at www.temporalbone.org.au

The Dizziness and Vertigo Seminar on Saturday, September 9, will be held in Bendigo Community Health Services’ new kidzspace building at 13 Helm Street in Kangaroo Flat.

Bookings are essential and can be made by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling the BCHS Central site on 5448 1600 weekdays during business hours.