The deafness of Ludwig van Beethoven

Abstract

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) began experiencing hearing loss in his thirties, which eventually progressed to profound deafness. Physicians and historians have sought for centuries to interpret the original sources from Beethoven's letters, medical documents, and autopsy reports to determine the causes of his deafness and systemic illnesses. This article reviews the current literature on the theories surrounding Beethoven's deafness and medical conditions. It is based on a PubMed® search spanning from 1958 to 2023 and provides a critical analysis of these theories.