Ludwig van Beethoven was not born deaf, but he gradually lost his hearing during the years. Initially, he kept it a secret, he felt shame, but in June 29, 1800, he wrote a letter to his friend Wegeler and reported about his condition for the first time.
This letter is the first evidence of his problems, and this document provides details of his initial hearing loss, and the remedy he was advised.
Key points from the letter
– The letter is dated 1800 and he wrote about a gradually worse hearing in the past three years. This means, from around age 27, he had been experiencing this problem.
– Beethoven was led to believe by his doctors that his hearing loss roots in his digestive system.
– For his ears he received almonds oil, for the stomach tonics, later cold baths. More doctors recommended the baths in the Danube river.
– Time and again his stomach got better, but his hearing did not. In fact he wrote, “my ears are buzzing and ringing perpetually, day and night. I can with truth say that my life is very wretched.”
– He confesses that he avoids social occasions, “because I find it impossible to say to people, I am deaf!” He also mentions fear of enemies and their reaction to this news.
– Beethoven writes everyday life examples, like not hearing the orchestra perfectly or even speech in conversations.
– He confesses the emotional difficulty and the fact that he is not strong every day, “there must be moments in my life when I cannot fail to be the most unhappy of God’s creatures.”
– Finally, he tells Wegeler about his plan to visit him – if nothing improves – and rent a house in the country to heal and become a rustic.
The letter
TO WEGELER.
Vienna, June 29, 1800.
MY DEAR AND VALUED WEGELER,
… That malicious demon, however, bad health, has been a stumbling-block in my path; my hearing during the last three years has become gradually worse. The chief cause of this infirmity proceeds from the state of my digestive organs, which, as you know, were formerly bad enough, but have latterly become much worse, and being constantly afflicted with diarrhoea, has brought on extreme weakness. Frank [Director of the General Hospital] strove to restore the tone of my digestion by tonics, and my hearing by oil of almonds; but alas! these did me no good whatever; my hearing became worse, and my digestion continued in its former plight. This went on till the autumn of last year, when I was often reduced to utter despair. Then some medical asinus recommended me cold baths, but a more judicious doctor the tepid ones of the Danube, which did wonders for me; my digestion improved, but my hearing remained the same, or in fact rather got worse. I did indeed pass a miserable winter; I suffered from most dreadful spasms, and sank back into my former condition. Thus it went on till about a month ago, when I consulted Vering [an army surgeon], under the belief that my maladies required surgical advice; besides, I had every confidence in him. He succeeded in almost entirely checking the violent diarrhoea, and ordered me the tepid baths of the Danube, into which I pour some strengthening mixture. He gave me no medicine, except some digestive pills four days ago, and a lotion for my ears. I certainly do feel better and stronger, but my ears are buzzing and ringing perpetually, day and night. I can with truth say that my life is very wretched; for nearly two years past I have avoided all society, because I find it impossible to say to people, I am deaf! In any other profession this might be more tolerable, but in mine such a condition is truly frightful. Besides, what would my enemies say to this?–and they are not few in number.
To give you some idea of my extraordinary deafness, I must tell you that in the theatre I am obliged to lean close up against the orchestra in order to understand the actors, and when a little way off I hear none of the high notes of instruments or singers. It is most astonishing that in conversation some people never seem to observe this; being subject to fits of absence, they attribute it to that cause. I often can scarcely hear a person if speaking low; I can distinguish the tones, but not the words, and yet I feel it intolerable if any one shouts to me. Heaven alone knows how it is to end! Vering declares that I shall certainly improve, even if I be not entirely restored. How often have I cursed my existence! Plutarch led me to resignation. I shall strive if possible to set Fate at defiance, although there must be moments in my life when I cannot fail to be the most unhappy of God’s creatures. I entreat you to say nothing of my affliction to any one, not even to Lorchen. I confide the secret to you alone, and entreat you some day to correspond with Vering on the subject. If I continue in the same state, I shall come to you in the ensuing spring, when you must engage a house for me somewhere in the country, amid beautiful scenery, and I shall then become a rustic for a year, which may perhaps effect a change. Resignation!–what a miserable refuge! and yet it is my sole remaining one. …
Farewell, my kind, faithful Wegeler! Rest assured of the love and friendship of your
BEETHOVEN
