Associate Professor Hamish McDougall, who runs the University of Sydney's Virtual Reality Openlab, will showcase its work on the vestibular system at the Western NSW Health Research Network (WHRN) Symposium.

The vestibular system, found inside the inner ear, is responsible for spacial orientation and balance.

"Vestibular function is pretty underrated," Associate Professor McDougall said.

"Everyone knows about their vision and hearing, but not everyone knows about their vestibular function because it's so automated that it does everything for you - until something goes wrong."

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In Dubbo for the first time, the sixth annual symposium will allow western region health professionals to share their "innovative and important" research on topics such as the use of music to improve the brain health of people with dementia and the lived experience of a diagnosis of cancer.

Speakers include the world's first Professor of Planetary Health Tony Capon who says "the health and well-being of people entirely depends on the health of natural systems".

The symposium's theme is Growing Health Research from the Ground Up.

"Our keynote speakers will inspire researchers in our region to continue to develop rural research projects around Aboriginal health, the health of our communities in years of drought or environmental pressures, and virtual access to health care," WHRN chairwoman Associate Professor Catherine Hawke said.

"We'll also be looking at ways in which we can attract funding for this kind of research."

The symposium will be held at Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre.