NYT on possible causes of Beethoven’s deafness, based on DNA analysis of his hair

The New York Times wrote an interesting article about the possible causes of the legendary musician Ludvig van Beethoven’s deafness.

When Beethoven lived, he started to lose his hearing in his twenties. He had many health problems, especially gastrointestinal issues.

When Beethoven was 30, he wrote that he ceased to attend social functions because he didn’t want to tell anyone that he was deaf. He struggled with despair but still had great success with his music career.

Researchers analyzed DNA from hair that is believed to have been clipped from Beethoven’s head about 200 years ago. The hair was found to contain extremely high levels of lead, which is a very toxic metal.

The levels of the lead in Beethoven’s body may have caused his hearing loss and his illnesses.

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Experts said in Europe in the 1800s, when Beethoven lived, lead was used in wines and food as well as in medicines and ointments. Beethoven loved to drink wine and often drank about a bottle or more a day.

During that time, cheap wine often had lead acetate in it, which sweetened the flavor. Lead acetate is a crystalline substance, similar to sugar or salt. So it was a dangerous thing.

Wine was also fermented in kettles soldered with lead and corks on wine bottles were presoaked in lead salt to improve the seal.

Obviously, we know that lead is an extremely dangerous substance, but back then, it was not known. For anyone who was an avid wine drinker, they would be exposed to toxic levels of lead.

On Beethoven’s deathbed in 1827, his friends gave him spoonfuls of wine. When he got a gift of a case of fine wine, he said, “Pity — too late.” These were his last words. He died at the age of 56 in Vienna, Austria.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/06/health/beethoven-deaf-lead-hair.html