Can a human smell through the ears? The title does, _prima facie_ , appear absurd. Performing a swallowing action whilst pinching the nostrils shut gives the impression of listening through a bucket filled with water around the head; audible sound levels are perceptibly reduced. Some humans may encounter a similar sensation blowing their nose - hard. This makes sense give the ears connect to the mouth/nose through the eustachian tubes. Can an odour make its way to the olfactory sensors through the ears?

A quick diagram to point out to people who may not know what Eustachian tubes are (#2).

!Anatomy of the Ear

In order for the aromatic molecule to reach the olfactory bulb, it would first have to get through the Tympanic Membrane (#22) [a.k.a. - Eardrum]. The Tympanic Membrane is water/airtight unless pierced.

So, while it's plausible that an aromatic molecule could travel through the Eustachian tubes and enter the pharynx areas, there isn't any way to get into the middle-ear in the first place unless the Tympanic Membrane has been compromised.

In a healthy and intact individual, the answer should be **No.**