Baruch Hashem, it appears an ear infection led to a report in the daily Yisrael HaYom, which was quoted last week by YWN-Israel. The report stated the elderly Gadol Hador, Maran HaRav HaGaon Rav Ovadia Yosef Shlita is suffering from diminished hearing, citing physicians wanted to perform surgery but opted not to do to the rav’s general condition and advanced age.

According to a Ladaat report, quoting a person “very close to the rav” the reports are “wicked rumors,” attributing the temporary hearing impairment to an ear infection, nothing more.

It appears the Rav does not hear from one of his ears for a number of years and now, with the accumulation of fluid in his good ear, his hearing was significantly compromised.

The source denied reports that hearing adjuncts were installed in the home, but did confirm that a loudspeaker is used during tefilla to assist the rav during weekday davening during the infection period. The treatment prescribed by the Rav’s physician is expected to take three weeks.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)