The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the world's attention to olfactory impairment (OI). As a cardinal symptom of the many early variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, we have never seen such global attention toward one of our most important senses. Although the prevalence of OI has increased dramatically with COVID-19, OIs have long been a significant health concern. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the median length of time from onset of OI to evaluation by a clinician was 13 months, with many individuals waiting up to 3 years before seeking evaluation. During that time, patients did not receive treatment or counseling, compounding the potential associations of OI with patient health.
