Can you
smell that?
One of the long-term
ramifications of having had a
laryngectomy is a loss of smell.
While it doesn’t tend to generate
the same sort of attention as
some of the major difficulties
associated with a laryngectomy,
e.g. loss of voice, or eating
difficulties, anyone who has lost
some or all of their ability to smell
will tell you what a big impact it
can have.
22 THE VOICE | Summer 2013
In particular, it completely
changes the way you taste and
enjoy food. And it also makes a
profound difference to the way
you experience life. For example,
gardening becomes a less sensual
experience.
There are other more pressing
problems associated with a loss of
smell (or anosmia) – the inability
to detect bodily odours can create
a sense of insecurity about one’s
personal hygiene. Even worse, it
will be impossible for some people
to detect smoke or leaking gas –
fortunately this can be remedied