A few years ago, during a visit to my ear-nose-and-throat doctor to clean my ears, I experienced excruciating pain in my ear when he inserted an instrument to remove the wax from my eardrum. The pain subsided after a while, but when I ate dinner, I discovered I had lost my entire sense of taste. I called my ENT and was told that it could not possibly have been from the ear cleaning.

I then called my son, who is a board-certified neuropsychologist. He had to look into it but got back to me within an hour telling me that my chorda-tympani nerve was probably damaged. He told me that this nerve serves the taste buds in the front of the tongue and runs through the middle ear where it carries taste messages to the brain.

My loss of taste lasted several months with a one-day loss of smell. Gradually, my sense of taste returned. My experience made me wonder if this woman may have hit the side of her face as well, damaging this nerve. There still isn’t much she can do, but at least she would have an explanation.

DEAR READER: Let me first clarify that I did not say the concussion was an unlikely cause of her loss of taste and smell. In fact, head trauma is a well-known cause. There are several other possibilities that should have been explored before deciding the facial injuries were the cause. I was simply providing the writer with more information regarding the condition.

Now, as to your situation, I have not heard of this occurring, but I agree that it is a possibility, at least for part of the loss of taste. Because the nerve supplies only the front portion of the tongue and taste buds, it would cause only partial taste loss. Thank you for writing.

About 18 months ago, I tripped on city cobblestones and fell. The accident was serious enough that I had to be taken to the emergency room. I was diagnosed with a concussion and treated for lacerations to my forehead, nose and mouth. Shortly after this incident, I realized that I could no longer smell or taste.

My family doctor told me to be patient, to allow myself time to heal and that these senses would likely return. After nine months with no improvement, I was sent to an ear-nose-and-throat specialist. There, my hearing was tested and I underwent an endoscopic procedure on my nose. I was then prescribed Medrol and Flonase, which I took exactly as prescribed. Unfortunately, they did not help.

When I returned to the ENT after finishing both prescriptions, I was told that nothing else could be done. I asked about further testing and possible renewal of the medications, but I only received a very negative response. I hope that you will be able to provide me with some help.

I am an otherwise healthy 77-year-old woman. I take Lipitor and Fosamax.

DEAR READER: The complete inability to taste is rare, with distortion being more common. The tongue can detect four or five tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami (savory), which is not yet widely recognized. What most people consider taste is actually smell; therefore, smell disorders can often distort the way foods taste.

Because you have listed a lack of sense of smell and taste, the primary source of your problem is likely the result of a smell disorder; however, I will discuss both conditions briefly.

There are several causes of the impairment or loss of the sense of taste, including medication side effects, aging, the common cold, influenza, heavy smoking, strep throat, mouth, nose or head injury, and more. Both Fosamax and Lipitor list taste perversion or loss as known side effects. You have injured your mouth, nose and head. And your age may be playing a role.

For those with impairment caused by temporary conditions such as illness, taste typically returns shortly after the illness resolves. Changing the drug or reducing the dose may relieve cases caused by medication. Smoking should be eliminated. In the case of injury, sense of smell may return as the body heals, but in some instances, the loss is permanent.

The loss or impairment of the sense of smell results from many of the same causes as those of taste. In addition, it may be caused by exposure to certain chemicals, dental problems, hormonal disturbances, head or neck radiation, and disorders that affect the nervous system such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

If the underlying cause of the loss can be identified, help may be available, but again, some cases may be permanent. There are also instances when individuals have spontaneously recovered these senses. For those with permanent malfunction, counseling may help a person adjust to the situation.

The two medications you were given are both steroids. The Medrol is typically used for severe allergies, arthritis, skin conditions, certain blood disorders and asthma. It works by suppressing the body’s reaction and inflammation. The Flonase is a steroid nasal spray used to treat allergic and non-allergic congestion, itching, sneezing and runny nose. If allergies, the cold, flu or other common illness caused your problems, these meds would have likely relieved symptoms and may have restored your senses. Apparently, this was not the case.

If you have had adequate testing and no underlying disease or disorder can be found, then your head injuries may be to blame. This could also mean that your condition is permanent. If you don’t believe the ENT specialist fully tested you or told you of all other treatment options, request a second opinion from another ENT or perhaps a neurologist to determine whether your fall caused brain damage in one or more of the areas where taste and smell are processed. If after this you do not experience improvement, it may be time to request a referral to a therapist or counselor familiar with these conditions who can help you cope.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Medical Specialists.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.