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Why did Beethoven lose his hearing?

In this episode of The Classical Music Minute, we explore one of the most famous mysteries in music history. Ludwig van Beethoven began experiencing hearing problems in his late twenties, including ringing in the ears and difficulty hearing high sounds and distant voices.

By 1802, he knew the condition was serious and progressive. During a stay in Heiligenstadt, he wrote the deeply personal Heiligenstadt Testament, describing the distress caused by his hearing loss.

Although many possible causes have been suggested, including illness, infection, autoimmune disease, and lead exposure, the exact reason for Beethoven’s deafness remains uncertain.

What makes his story extraordinary is that he continued to compose some of his most powerful music even as his hearing declined.

In just sixty seconds, discover how Beethoven’s deafness became part of one of the most remarkable creative stories in classical music.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony premiered in 1824, when he was profoundly deaf. According to one famous account, he could not hear the audience applauding and had to be turned around to see their reaction.

The Classical Music Minute is a short podcast exploring fascinating stories, quirky history, and surprising facts from the world of classical music—all in about sixty seconds.

Each episode offers a quick and entertaining glimpse into composers, masterpieces, musical traditions, and the curious moments that shaped music history.

You can also read the written versions of these episodes on Substack, where they’re published as short articles delivered directly to subscribers.

Steven Hobé is a Canadian composer and actor based in Toronto and a member of the Canadian League of Composers. He is the creator and host of The Classical Music Minute, a series devoted to making classical music history engaging, surprising, and accessible.

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