Olfactory Threshold Can Be Reliably Tested With Sniffin' Sticks in Non‐Clinical Settings: Associations Shown in a Diverse, General Population

Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Objective: The olfactory threshold part of the Sniffin' Sticks test is widely used to assess chemosensory function, yet most studies are conducted in controlled laboratory or clinical environments with selective samples. This study examined odour threshold performance with the Sniffin' Sticks threshold test in a large, heterogenous sample, testing whether established associations generalise outside the lab. Method: A total of 798 museum visitors aged 18–88 years completed the threshold test and rated their olfactory and gustatory ability, nasal patency, and sensitivity. Participants were classified as normosmic, hyposmic, or anosmic based on threshold scores. Associations with age, sex, health status, smoking, and alcohol use were analysed. Results: Threshold performance was positively associated with self-rated chemosensory ability and negatively with age. Women showed higher performance, greater self-rated ability, and better nasal patency and sensitivity than men. Normosmic participants were younger and reported higher function than other groups, especially hyposmic individuals. Chronic illness and nasal problems were linked to poorer performance and lower self-ratings. Smoking related to lower self-rated olfactory ability but not threshold scores; self-rated alcohol use showed no effect. The prevalence of anosmia and hyposmia was comparable to epidemiological data. Conclusion: The Sniffin' Sticks threshold test provides a valid and practical tool for assessing olfactory sensitivity in naturalistic, non-clinical settings.

Details

Original languageEnglish
JournalClinical otolaryngology
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 7 Sept 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 105049558195
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/226837354
Mendeley 909a15bd-5394-3d89-a62b-abb63491c234
unpaywall 10.1111/coa.70163

Keywords

Keywords

  • Sniffin' sticks, olfaction, olfactory threshold, threshold