Impact of Olfactory Impairment on Quality of Life and Disability

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Abstract
A SURVEY BY the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimated that more than 2.7 million adults in the United States (1.4% of the population) have chronic olfactory impairment.1 Causes of these losses include head injury, aging, paranasal sinus disease, neoplasm, medications, toxic exposure, upper respiratory tract infection, surgical trauma, and congenital defects.2-6 Despite the relatively high prevalence, there is a lack of public awareness regarding this problem. Moreover, limited availability of olfactory testing centers may hinder patients seeking assistance. Unfortunately, even with medical attention, there is often little that can be done to restore lost olfactory function.