Schumann believed it was a form of syphilis which causes progressive deafness, then a period before death of wonderful clarity, like the whole world is verging

Schumann believed it was a form of syphilis which causes progressive deafness, then a period before death of wonderful clarity, like the whole world is verging on a great revelation of unity and you are the carrier. This is a real form of syphilis, but AFAIK there's no evidence other than the ode to joy.