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[Bookmark {{bookmarkindex + 1}}: {{bookmark.headline}} {{bookmark.excerpt}} Visit page](https://masseyeandear.org/conditions/bookmark.link) Close Bookmarks Menu /assets/MEE/images/mgb-default-thumb.png Smell and Taste Loss Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery # Smell and Taste Loss Phone number forFor Appointments [617-573-3030](tel:617-573-3030) Smell loss happens when there is a blockage of airflow getting to the nerves responsible for detecting odors, direct damage to the nerves, or direct damage to the areas of the brain where the sense of smell is processed. ## Patient Testimonial > “I’ve escaped that dread of being severed from the very relish of life that each of the senses supplies.” [Read Gregory's story.](https://focus.masseyeandear.org/on-the-nose/) ## Overview Many things can cause smell loss, such as sinus disease, head trauma, the common cold, and aging. Sometimes there is no explanation at all. Often, a loss of smell is noticed when you have difficulty tasting food. This is because flavor is a combination of smell and taste. With smell loss, the taste of food is reduced to a very bland sensation. Sometimes, patients believe they have taste loss, when it is actually a loss of smell. Besides the loss of sense of smell, some patients experience a distorted smell, or a "phantom" smell (an odor that other people can't smell). There are some patients with a true taste loss, though it is much less common. It is difficult to have a complete taste loss, because taste is processed by the surface of the tongue and by three different nerves. It is more common to have decreased or altered taste (often described as "metallic") than a total taste loss. True taste loss has many causes, including infection, central brain disorders, nutritional deficits, or complications in surgery of the mouth or ear. ## 3Common Symptoms - Dulled sense of smell - Difficulty tasting food - Weight loss ## Diagnosis and Treatment In many cases, the cause of taste loss is unknown. The ability to treat taste loss depends on the ability to identify the cause. Your physician will evaluate the smell/taste loss through an extensive discussion of your history and by an endoscopic examination of your nasal cavity. A smell test may also be performed. If smell loss is ruled out, we administer a taste test. Depending on the results, further testing such as an MRI or CT scan may be needed. ### Medication or Surgery Unfortunately, there are not many therapies available to patients with smell loss. If infection is the underlying cause, it can be treated with antibiotic or antifungal medications. In cases where the smell loss is caused by sinus disease, medication or surgery may be helpful. Oral steroids might also help in treating certain forms of smell loss, but they may only provide a short-term benefit. ### Olfactory Training A recently described therapy has shown some benefit in people with smell loss that does not involve medication. This technique, known as olfactory training, involves repetitive smelling of four odors, twice-a-day for at least three months and has provided improvement in some patients with diminished ability to smell. ## Meet Our Team Our Sinus Center is comprised of surgeons and supportive staff specially trained to care for your sinuses and related nasal disorders. #### [Benjamin S Bleier, MD, FACS](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/110) Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Boston [View Benjamin S Bleierprofile](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/110) #### [Eric H Holbrook, MD, MS](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/214) Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Boston [View Eric H Holbrookprofile](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/214) #### [George A. Scangas, MD](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/242) Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Boston [View George A. Scangasprofile](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/242) #### [Nicolas Y. BuSaba, MD, FACS](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/75) Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Boston [View Nicolas Youssef Bu-Sabaprofile](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/75) #### [Ralph B. Metson, MD](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/412) Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Boston [View Ralph B. Metsonprofile](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/412) #### [Stacey Tutt Gray, MD](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/119) Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Boston [View Stacey Tutt Grayprofile](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/details/119) [View full team](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/?SubSpecialties=38) ## Related Conditions Nasal Obstruction [The feeling that your sinuses are “blocked” or “congested.”Learn more](https://masseyeandear.org/conditions/nasal-obstruction) Nosebleeds [When blood vessels inside of the nose break causing the nose to bleed.Learn more](https://masseyeandear.org/conditions/nose-bleeds) Tumors and Polyps of the Nose [Growths of tissue in the lining of your nose or sinuses.Learn more](https://masseyeandear.org/conditions/nasal-polyps) ## Did you know? - Some loss of taste and smell is natural with aging, especially after age 60. - A partial loss of smell (hyposmia) and complete loss of smell (anosmia) are the most common disorders with smell and taste. [What you need to know before your visit](https://masseyeandear.org/patients-visitors/clinic-visit) ## Related Reading Research Findings [A Cochlear Implant for the NoseRead More](https://focus.masseyeandear.org/a-cochlear-implant-for-the-nose/) Expert Chats [More Than Taste Buds: How Smell Influences TasteRead More](https://focus.masseyeandear.org/more-than-taste-buds-how-smell-influences-taste/) Expert Chats [5 Myths About Your SinusesRead More](https://focus.masseyeandear.org/5-myths-sinuses/) [Request an Appointment](https://masseyeandear.org/request-an-appointment) [Return to top of page](https://masseyeandear.org/conditions/smell-taste-loss#main-content) ## Massachusetts Eye and Ear 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 [617-523-7900](tel:617-523-7900) [Mass General Brigham](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/) Connect with us on social media  Footer Menu For Patients & Visitors For Patients & Visitors Menu Links - [Accessibility Resources](https://masseyeandear.org/patients-visitors/accessibility-resources) - [Clinical & Support Services](https://masseyeandear.org/services/clinical-and-support) - [COVID-19 Information](https://masseyeandear.org/covid-19) - [Ophthalmology/Eye Care](https://masseyeandear.org/ophthalmology) - [Otolaryngology/ENT Care](https://masseyeandear.org/otolaryngology) - [Patient Gateway](https://masseyeandear.org/patient-gateway) - [Patient Information](https://masseyeandear.org/patients-visitors/patient-information) - [Physician Directory](https://doctors.masseyeandear.org/) - [Visitor Resources](https://masseyeandear.org/patients-visitors/visitor-resources) For Medical Professionals For Medical Professionals Menu Links - [Education & Training](https://masseyeandear.org/education) - [Ophthalmology Events](https://masseyeandear.org/education/ophthalmology/events) - [Otolaryngology Events](https://masseyeandear.org/education/otolaryngology/events) - [Resources](https://masseyeandear.org/medical-professionals) - [Publications](https://masseyeandear.org/news/publications) - [Research](https://masseyeandear.org/research) Quick Links Quick Links Menu Links - [Career Opportunities](https://masseyeandear.org/careers) - [Contact Us](https://masseyeandear.org/about/contact-us) - [Employees](https://masseyeandear.org/employees) - [Focus Health Blog](https://focus.masseyeandear.org/) - [Locations](https://masseyeandear.org/locations) - [Newsroom](https://masseyeandear.org/news) ##### Connect with us on social media  [](https://hms.harvard.edu/) © 2026 Massachusetts Eye and Ear - [Privacy & Legal Notices](https://masseyeandear.org/privacy-legal-notices) - [Price Transparency](https://masseyeandear.org/billing/charge-listing) - [Sitemap](https://masseyeandear.org/site-map)

Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Phone number forFor Appointments Smell loss happens when there is a blockage of airflow getting to the nerves responsible for detecting odors, direct damage to the nerves, or direct damage to the areas of the brain where the sense of smell is processed. > “I’ve escaped that dread of being severed from the very relish of life that each of the senses supplies.” [Read Gregory's story.](https://focus.masseyeandear.org/on-the-nose/) ## Overview Many things can cause smell loss, such as sinus disease, head trauma, the common cold, and aging. Sometimes there is no explanation at all. Often, a loss of smell is noticed when you have difficulty tasting food. This is because flavor is a combination of smell and taste. With smell loss, the taste of food is reduced to a very bland sensation. Sometimes, patients believe they have taste loss, when it is actually a loss of smell. Besides the loss of sense of smell, some patients experience a distorted smell, or a "phantom" smell (an odor that other people can't smell). There are some patients with a true taste loss, though it is much less common. It is difficult to have a complete taste loss, because taste is processed by the surface of the tongue and by three different nerves. It is more common to have decreased or altered taste (often described as "metallic") than a total taste loss. True taste loss has many causes, including infection, central brain disorders, nutritional deficits, or complications in surgery of the mouth or ear. ## 3Common Symptoms - Dulled sense of smell - Difficulty tasting food - Weight loss ## Diagnosis and Treatment In many cases, the cause of taste loss is unknown. The ability to treat taste loss depends on the ability to identify the cause. Your physician will evaluate the smell/taste loss through an extensive discussion of your history and by an endoscopic examination of your nasal cavity. A smell test may also be performed. If smell loss is ruled out, we administer a taste test. Depending on the results, further testing such as an MRI or CT scan may be needed. ## Meet Our Team Our Sinus Center is comprised of surgeons and supportive staff specially trained to care for your sinuses and related nasal disorders. Did you know? - Some loss of taste and smell is natural with aging, especially after age 60. - A partial loss of smell (hyposmia) and complete loss of smell (anosmia) are the most common disorders with smell and taste.