Eric Clapton recently expressed concerns that he had tinnitus and was “going deaf.” The same rang true for Ludwig van Beethoven who moved from hearing buzzing in his ears (tinnitus) at the age of 26 to progressive hearing loss and, finally, total deafness by age 44. Even so, he continued to compose music. He was able to do so by holding a pencil in his mouth and touching the other end to the soundboard of the piano as he played. Using the same principle that makes a bone-conduction hearing instrument work, Beethoven was able to conduct sound vibrations through the pencil, to his teeth, which then transmitted the sound to his skull bones, and into his inner ear.
P.S. By placing a vibrating tuning fork between their back teeth, musicians are able to hear a note via bone conduction, leaving both hands free to tune.
Do you have questions about hearing deficits, hearing aids, or hearing tests? Do you need to speak with a Doctor of Audiology about the state of your hearing? We want you to know you are always welcome at EAR & HEARING CLINIC. Perhaps you have a hearing aid that you don’t wear because it does not meet your expectations. If so, bring it to us and let us take a look. It may be that a simple adjustment or a switch in styles is all it will take to bring your hearing abilities up to maximum capacity. We hope to help you once again “Hear the Sounds of Life.”
