The German composer Ludwig van Beethoven began experiencing hearing problems in his late 20s—a condition that caused him deep distress and embarrassment. Over the years, his hearing continued to deteriorate, and by the time of his death in 1827 at age 56, he was completely deaf.
The cause of Beethoven’s deafness has long remained a mystery, along with numerous other health issues he suffered from, including chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. Now, nearly 200 years after his death, researchers may finally have some answers.
In a letter published this week in the journal Clinical Chemistry, scientists reported that an analysis of Beethoven’s hair revealed high levels of lead, arsenic, and mercury. While these heavy metals likely didn’t directly cause his death, they may help explain several of his symptoms.
The researchers tested two authenticated strands of Beethoven’s hair. One contained 380 micrograms of lead per gram of hair, and the other 258 micrograms—compared to a typical lead level of about 4 micrograms or less per gram. His hair also showed 13 times the normal level of arsenic and four times the normal level of mercury.
In their report, the researchers noted that the especially high level of lead likely contributed to Beethoven’s gastrointestinal problems and hearing loss.
“This is the highest amount I’ve ever seen in hair samples,” said Dr. Paul Jannetto, a Mayo Clinic pathologist and co-author of the study, in an interview with Gina Kolata of The New York Times. “We receive samples from all over the world, and the levels found in this test are significantly higher.”