when did beethoven go deaf

Beethoven started to lose his hearing in his late 20s, around 1796–1798, and he was effectively completely deaf by his mid‑40s, around 1816–1819.

Quick Scoop: Timeline of His Deafness

• Around 1796–1798: First signs of trouble, including buzzing (tinnitus) and difficulty hearing, especially in one ear.

• By 1801 (early 30s): Hearing loss clearly affecting his daily life and social interactions; he writes despairing letters about it.

• Around 1816 (about 46 years old): Contemporary accounts and later medical analyses suggest he was for practical purposes completely deaf.

• By 1819: Biographical sources describe his deafness as total.

Even after becoming fully deaf, Beethoven continued composing some of his most famous works, including the Ninth Symphony, relying on his inner hearing and written communication instead of spoken conversation.

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