| Beethoven's loss of hearing affected his normal daily | | | | loss of hearing to syphilis or to hereditary factors. as |
| life because music was the foundation of his lifestyle | | | | the records are somewhat blurred and it is hard to |
| and his source of income. Unfortunately, in his time | | | | pinpoint now what may have caused the condition. It is |
| there were not as many treatment options for those | | | | also rumored that Beethoven's loss of hearing may |
| with hearing impairments. | | | | have actually started when he was a child as unilateral |
| Nearly everyone is familiar with Beethoven's many | | | | hearing loss that would come and go. Some evidence |
| symphonies and other classical master pieces he | | | | exists to support this. However, the records are |
| composed filling the world with beautiful music. In fact, | | | | somewhat blurred and it is hard to pinpoint now what |
| Beethoven's works are still widely admired and | | | | may have caused the condition. |
| revered today. However, what makes Beethoven's | | | | Today, the only actual recorded information that is |
| works even more admirable is Beethoven's loss of | | | | available regarding Beethoven's loss of hearing is the |
| hearing. Deafness greatly frustrated him especially | | | | journal that he kept. This is a great source to utilize in |
| towards the end of his life as it became harder and | | | | understanding the way Beethoven perceived sound |
| harder for him to perform. This is due to increased loss | | | | and music, but not as a resource to study his hearing |
| of his capability to hear high and moderate frequency | | | | impairment itself. |
| sounds while performing. | | | | Beethoven's loss of hearing caused him great distress |
| It is widely attributed that Beethoven's loss of hearing | | | | as performing was not only his way of earning a living |
| was actually what is today known as tinnitus. This | | | | and the one thing he was known for, but was his |
| means that Beethoven's loss of hearing was most | | | | whole life. Still he continued throughout his life to write |
| likely caused by a loud constant ringing in his ears that | | | | music for others to perform, even when he could no |
| drowned out his ability to hear any sound. Due to the | | | | longer perform it himself. |
| primitive time period in which Beethoven lived, there | | | | Similarly, if you are told you suffer hearing loss; you |
| were not yet any aids to help him deal with his loss of | | | | may be depressed as well. However, there are more |
| hearing. Thus Beethoven was forced to suffer in | | | | treatment options available today than Beethoven's |
| silence as he tried to continue performing live in | | | | time, so you should not let your diagnosis hinder your |
| concert halls. | | | | life. |
| There are many people who attribute Beethoven's | | | | |