In the last couple months, I’ve become aware that my senses of taste and smell are possibly better than they’ve ever been. I’m near to turning 67, but subjectively anyway, I 'm more discerning and perceptive than earlier in my life.
That’s clearly not by dint of some training or life choices, and I doubt it’s any matter of un/familiarity.
Wahine has an uncanny sense of smell, but somehow I can detect odors ahead of her. For instance, when we are driving together, I’ll ask: “Hey, you getting X?”. And most times, she’ll say no, and then 10, 15, 30 seconds later, she’ll say “Yeah, now I get that”.
I have this general sense that acuity diminishes over the years. But if anything, my taste perceptions of food and wine seem to be improved. I’m certainly pickier.
I think I’ve read that our taste buds ebb over time, so that one’s balance of perception changes as one sensor fades others’ become more noticeable. Might this be at play in any way?
I think my sense of smell has become more acute as I’ve gotten older. I’ve always been hypersensitive to noise, even though there are some ranges I know good and well that I’ve lost, particularly in one ear.
Senses are strange things. I once went voluntarily blind for a week, and while I never want to repeat that experience, it convinced me that our senses are truly complementary and inter-compensatory.
Speaking only for myself (and informed by excellent medical advice), anyone suffering from hearing loss should not forego available treatment options. There is a vastly underappreciated connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline. And the latter can be irreversible.
My dad towards the end of his life complained that the food his aides prepared for him was tasteless. So I checked in the kitchen. Of course it was … the wasn’t an herb or spice in sight. Not even any Worcestershire sauce. A quick trip by me to the grocery solved the problem. No more complaints
My ears are shot to hell, too. I think as we mature, we get much more olfactory memories, so they’re easier for us to place. olfactory memories are strong. If you deal with kids who have suffered trauma, so much of their memories are olfactory. My sniffer is as good as ever, as are my buds; but the eyes and ears are fading. I can usually tell if there was a deer kill in the woods 3oo yards across the street from my house. I’ll go check it out…yup, yote food.
