Is There a Relationship Between Tinnitus and Sense of Smell?

Girl smelling lavender; tinnitus and sense of smell concept

Seems weird, but researchers are finding a relationship between tinnitus and a poor sense of smell.

A 2023 report in Frontiers in Public Health concludes that "subjective smell dysfunction and poor smell test results were significantly associated with tinnitus complaints."

An earlier study published in 2018 by PLOS One also "found the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and tinnitus," noting that "the occurrence of olfactory dysfunction may increase according to the increase in the severity of tinnitus."

So, if you've never had a good sense of smell, does that mean you'll get tinnitus? Not necessarily; the research to date does not suggest that having no sense of smell predisposes a person to tinnitus.

While there may be some cases where tinnitus and anosmia (lack of sense of smell) occur together, the two conditions are not directly related. Anosmia is typically caused by issues in the olfactory system, such as nasal congestion, sinus problems, head trauma, or certain medical conditions. Tinnitus, on the other hand, is often associated with damage to the inner ear, exposure to loud noises, or age-related hearing loss.

If you don't have a sense of smell but would still like to use aromatherapy to reduce stress caused by your tinnitus, go right ahead.

Take lavender for instance.

Although the sense of smell plays a significant role in how scents impact our emotions and brain activity, it is not the only factor involved. Although you may not personally experience the scent of lavender due to your lack of smell, it can still have an effect on your brain and potentially help soothe anxiety through other mechanisms.

Research suggests that certain scents, including lavender, can influence brain activity and emotions through a process known as aromatherapy. Inhalation of lavender essential oil or exposure to lavender-scented products has been shown to have calming and relaxing effects on many individuals, reducing anxiety levels and promoting a sense of well-being.

The effects of lavender on anxiety can be attributed to its impact on the limbic system, the part of the brain involved in emotional regulation and stress response. Lavender is believed to interact with neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain, such as GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is associated with relaxation and calming effects.

Even without the direct perception of the scent, other sensory cues, such as visual or tactile cues associated with lavender, may still contribute to the relaxation response. For example, seeing the color purple (often associated with lavender) or feeling the texture of lavender-infused products like sachets or lotions might evoke positive emotions and trigger relaxation, even in the absence of the scent itself.

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