Taste Assessment: More Than a Taste Test

If your clinician proposes a taste assessment, ask what the visit will include. NIDCD describes a supervised taste test alongside an ear, nose and throat examination, dental and oral-hygiene assessment, and health-history review. The test is part of the assessment, rather than an explanation of the cause by itself.¹

Clarify the test task

NIDCD describes measuring the lowest concentration of a taste quality someone can detect or recognize. Your team should explain the task you are being offered. This article does not provide a home test.¹

Ask: “What will I be asked to do, and what preparation instructions apply to me?”

Bring the history into the visit

Describe the change and when it began. Bring your medicine list and any dental information the team requests. Tell them if eating has become difficult.

Ask how the findings fit together

Ask: “How does the test result fit with my examination and history? What still needs checking?”

Get the next step and contact arrangements in writing. Do not interpret a score or change a prescription yourself.

Is It My Breath? includes a visit script. Use it to organize the testing and follow-up questions you want clarified. See the book.