Ludwig van Beethoven, the renowned composer and pianist, is widely celebrated for his incredible musical achievements. However, behind his extraordinary talent lies a tragic and life-altering challenge: Beethoven gradually lost his hearing, a condition that profoundly impacted his personal and professional life.
Beethoven's journey into deafness began in his late twenties when he first experienced a persistent buzzing and ringing in his ears, known as tinnitus. This condition, accompanied by episodes of ear pain and gradual hearing loss, marked the onset of his deafness. As a composer and performer deeply connected to the world of sound, the realization that he was losing his hearing must have been devastating for Beethoven.