5 ms·

What caused Beethoven’s deafness? (2019)

23 points by tintinnabula 5y ago

sushsjsuauahab 5y ago
I believe they found a large tumor in his head upon autopsy? I think he also was able to hear a bit through the vibration of a stick
- MisterTea 5y ago
  > I think he also was able to hear a bit through the vibration of a stick I remember it as a stick attached to the piano with a bite piece at the end he held between his teeth.
  - sushsjsuauahab 5y ago
    So awesome. Physics!!
changoplatanero 5y ago
If you're curious what caused both Handel and Bach to be blind, the answer is this crazy guy named John Taylor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Taylor_(oculist) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Taylor_(oculist)
- 1cvmask 5y ago
  This part from the Wikipedia link on John Taylor is great: There is some evidence that Taylor operated on Handel in August 1758, in Tunbridge Wells, after which Handel's health deteriorated until his death in April 1759. In both cases Taylor claimed complete success.[2] Prior to performing each surgical procedure, he would deliver a long, self-promoting speech in an unusual oratorial style.[4] Dutch ophthalmologist R. Zegers mentions that "after his training, Taylor started practicing in Switzerland, where he blinded hundreds of patients, he once confessed".[5] Writer Samuel Johnson said of Taylor that his life showed "an instance of how far impudence may carry ignorance."
- jnsie 5y ago
  Is there a case to be made that he effectively killed (not murdered, killed...) them both? > Bach fell ill with a fever soon after his second operation and passed away less than four months later. > Taylor operated on Handel in August 1758, in Tunbridge Wells, after which Handel's health deteriorated until his death in April 1759.
francisofascii 5y ago
> "Beethoven’s chronic consumption of wine tainted with lead is a better explanation of his hearing loss than other causes." Further studies suggest he probably drank from a goblet containing lead. So if that is the case, Many other heavy drinkers of that era and place would have had similar deafness issues, no?
- dotancohen 5y ago
  > So if that is the case, Many other heavy drinkers of that > era and place would have had similar deafness issues, no? I believe that they did.
SeanFerree 5y ago
Lead was used as a wine sweetener in his day? That's crazy

23 points by tintinnabula 5y ago

I believe they found a large tumor in his head upon autopsy? I think he also was able to hear a bit through the vibration of a stick

MisterTea 5y ago
> I think he also was able to hear a bit through the vibration of a stick I remember it as a stick attached to the piano with a bite piece at the end he held between his teeth.
- sushsjsuauahab 5y ago
  So awesome. Physics!!

changoplatanero 5y ago

If you're curious what caused both Handel and Bach to be blind, the answer is this crazy guy named John Taylor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Taylor_(oculist) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Taylor_(oculist)

1cvmask 5y ago
This part from the Wikipedia link on John Taylor is great: There is some evidence that Taylor operated on Handel in August 1758, in Tunbridge Wells, after which Handel's health deteriorated until his death in April 1759. In both cases Taylor claimed complete success.[2] Prior to performing each surgical procedure, he would deliver a long, self-promoting speech in an unusual oratorial style.[4] Dutch ophthalmologist R. Zegers mentions that "after his training, Taylor started practicing in Switzerland, where he blinded hundreds of patients, he once confessed".[5] Writer Samuel Johnson said of Taylor that his life showed "an instance of how far impudence may carry ignorance."
jnsie 5y ago
Is there a case to be made that he effectively killed (not murdered, killed...) them both? > Bach fell ill with a fever soon after his second operation and passed away less than four months later. > Taylor operated on Handel in August 1758, in Tunbridge Wells, after which Handel's health deteriorated until his death in April 1759.

francisofascii 5y ago

> "Beethoven’s chronic consumption of wine tainted with lead is a better explanation of his hearing loss than other causes." Further studies suggest he probably drank from a goblet containing lead. So if that is the case, Many other heavy drinkers of that era and place would have had similar deafness issues, no?

dotancohen 5y ago
> So if that is the case, Many other heavy drinkers of that > era and place would have had similar deafness issues, no? I believe that they did.

SeanFerree 5y ago

Lead was used as a wine sweetener in his day? That's crazy