Join us for a special event showcasing the EPSRC/NIHR-funded Smell Care Project. This innovative endeavour explores digital smell training from a user-centric perspective, aiming to assist individuals experiencing loss of smell. Together, we'll explore project insights, take part in live demonstrations, and engage in conversations about our sense of smell. We're excited to share this experience with you.

Date: Fri Sep 20 2024

Time: 13:00 GMT+0100 (British Summer Time)

Location: Friends House

In Europe and the USA, around 20% of the general adult population has some form of smell dysfunction. This number rises to 75% for people aged between 70–80 years (Schlosser et al., 2020).

Smell disorders, despite their significant impact on health and quality of life, have often been overlooked, with limited support and treatment options available, particularly in the UK. Recent efforts by the charity Fifth Sense have highlighted this neglect, revealing a lack of adequate services and support for affected individuals. Moreover, with nearly half a million people in the UK experiencing lasting smell symptoms due to COVID-19, there is a pressing need for improved treatment and support systems.

The EPSRC/NHIR funded Smell Care (I-smell: Engaging Users in Smell Self-Care at Home) project investigates digital smell training through a user-centred lens, to help those with loss of smell. The contribution that the human sense of smell makes to quality of life and wellbeing is immense, with a unique link to emotions and memories.

Smell training has emerged as a promising intervention, especially for older individuals experiencing a natural decline in smell function. While existing methods involve traditional approaches like pens soaked in scents or jars of essential oils, there is a growing interest in digital solutions to enhance accessibility and effectiveness. Digital smell training holds potential to be delivered across various settings, including medical facilities, care homes, and private residences, with a focus on empowering individuals to engage in Smell Self-Care at home. By leveraging technology, this approach aims to address the limitations of conventional methods and provide a more accessible and comprehensive solution for managing smell disorders.

For more information, check our website.

Smell Above All: Where Technology meets the Nose