Genius Beethoven's Hearing Loss... Confirmed as 'Lead Poisoning'

Lead Detected 100 Times Higher in General Hair Samples
Lead Found in 19th Century European Wine
Wine Lover Beethoven... Enjoyed 'Lead Wine'

Ludwig van Beethoven, a great musician who, ironically, could not hear his own compositions due to hearing impairment. The reason why he suffered from various illnesses, including hearing loss, has been revealed. New research shows that Beethoven's body weakened due to 'lead poisoning.'

According to The New York Times (NYT), on the 6th (local time), a research team including William Meredith, director of the Beethoven Institute at San Jose State University, and Dr. Paul Zannetto, head of the Mayo Clinic laboratory, revealed the cause of Beethoven's death in a paper published in the journal 'Clinical Chemistry.'

This study analyzed the components of Beethoven's hair bundles in a special laboratory at the Mayo Clinic equipped with heavy metal analysis equipment. Beethoven's hair was provided by Australian businessman Kevin Brown.

The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. [Image source=Pixabay]

As a result of the experiment, 258 micrograms (㎍) of lead per gram (g) were detected in the first bundle of Beethoven's hair. In the second bundle of hair provided by Brown, 380 ㎍ of lead per gram were detected. Generally, the lead content in hair is less than 4 ㎍ per gram. Beethoven's hair contained nearly 100 times the amount of lead compared to an average person.

Regarding the results, Dr. Zannetto explained, "This shows that Beethoven was exposed to high concentrations of lead," adding, "It is the highest level I have seen in hair so far." In addition, arsenic was detected at 13 times the normal level in Beethoven's hair, and mercury was found to be four times the normal level.

David Eaton, an expert in toxic substances and professor emeritus at the University of Washington, analyzed to the NYT, "Beethoven's gastrointestinal problems exactly match the symptoms of lead poisoning." He also suggested that the cause of Beethoven's hearing impairment "may have been nerve damage caused by large amounts of lead affecting the nervous system."

Ludwig van Beethoven
[Photo by Yonhap News]

So why did Beethoven live with lead poisoning? The research team pointed to wine, dietary factors, and medical treatments as the main causes of lead exposure in this paper.

Jerome Enriagu, professor emeritus at the University of Michigan, explained that in 19th-century Europe, where Beethoven lived, lead was both a food and a medicine. Lead was used in beverages including wine, medicines, and ointments. Especially cheap wines contained large amounts of lead, as so-called 'lead sugar' was added to wines lacking sweetness to enhance flavor.

Director Meredith speculated that Beethoven enjoyed drinking to the extent of consuming a bottle of wine a day, which likely led to his lead poisoning. Beethoven, a lover of alcohol, even received a gift of 12 bottles of wine from a publisher before his death, but by then his health had deteriorated so much that he could not even swallow alcohol. At that time, Beethoven reportedly sighed, "What a pity. What a pity. Too late," according to the NYT.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.