How long does recovery from smell loss take?

Recovery from smell loss varies depending on the severity of the condition. Generally, if the sense of smell does not return within a year to a year and a half, it may be permanently lost. This timeline is based on the regeneration capacity of olfactory sensory neurons, which can recover as long as the damage is not complete. Recovery is more likely if some neural pathways remain intact after an injury, as they can guide regeneration 1.