Beethoven: A Role Model For Deafness

Beethoven is a wonderful role model for deaf people, because, although he struggled with deafness, he did not let it stop him. Beethoven began going deaf in his late 20’s, and by the time he was 44, he was completely deaf. He tried to hide his deafness. Conversation became impossible, and he finally had to stop conducting (Kubba). Instead of becoming completely depressed, he absorbed himself in his work and continued composing. He said, “Music is the mediator between the spiritual and sensual life” (“Beethoven Quotes”). Beethoven was musically literate. He could imagine the sound of the music in his head without needing to hear it. He set his piano on the floor and felt the vibrations it made when he played music (“Ludwig Van Beethoven”). He