Beethoven's deafness: Australian has hair tested to solve the mystery

The famous German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven developed a hearing disorder at an early age, which ultimately led to deafness. For a long time, people have been puzzling over what was behind this ailment. An Australian has now had locks of the composer's hair tested.

Ludwig van Beethoven - hier eine Statue von ihm in Bonn - soll selbst tosenden Publikumsapplaus nicht mehr gehört haben. Credit: justhavealook/Getty Images