No, Johann Sebastian Bach was not deaf.
While Bach maintained his hearing throughout his life, another incredibly influential composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, famously experienced significant hearing loss. Beethoven began to lose his hearing in his 20s and, remarkably, composed some of his most famous pieces of music even after becoming totally deaf. This stark difference in their personal experiences with hearing highlights the diverse challenges and triumphs faced by renowned musical figures throughout history.
Composers and Hearing Status
To clarify the distinction between these two legendary composers:
| Composer | Hearing Status | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Johann Sebastian Bach | Maintained hearing throughout his life | Not deaf |
| Ludwig van Beethoven | Began losing hearing in 20s; became deaf | Composed famous works while totally deaf |
