Was Beethoven Really Deaf?

 

Was Beethoven Born Deaf?

Beethoven was not born deaf but he gradually started losing his hearing.

At what age did Beethoven start loosing his hearing?

At the age of 26, Beethoven started expressing discomfort by stating that he was hearing ringing and buzzing in his ears. (source)

When did Beethoven become completely deaf?

At the age of 44 Beethoven was almost completely deaf. (source)

How did his hearing loss affect his career?

As a musician, Beethoven knew that his health issue would affect his career or even destroy it. As a result he kept these news hidden from the people around him for as long as he could. (source). Beethoven also gave up performing in public and any other public appearances (source). 

How did his hearing loss affect his life?

Beethoven's mental health was also affected by his hearing loss. He isolated from almost everyone and research suggests that this could be a possible sign of depression (source). He was gradually becoming even more private and only allowed very close friends to visit him. (source)

How did his hearing loss affect his music?

His music reflects his health issue. Once he started losing his hearing, he avoided using high pitch, since he was not able to hear it (source). His lively music started becoming darker and "heavy" (source) Works like the Moonlight Sonata and his opera Fidelio were composed during that period. Also works such us his Sixth Symphony "Pastoral Symphony" date from that period (Source).High pitches were once more present in his compositions during the end of his life, where he could possibly imagine the sounds (source). 

Was Beethoven using any aid when communicating with others?

When communicating with other people, Beethoven was using a communication/conversation notebook (source).

Was Beethoven using any aid when composing music?

When composing, Beethoven was using ear trumpets as well as a resonating plate with which he could hear the piano vibrations (source). It is well known however, that Beethoven was also destroying pianos in an attempt to hear the notes (source)

What was the reason behind Beethoven's hearing loss?

Even though researches still debate the reason behind Beethoven's hearing loss, theories suggest that his hearing loss might have been caused by typhus or syphilis or other reasons. The exact cause is still however unknown (source),

2024