‘Sonic device’ damages hearing of U.S. diplomats in Cuba

A group of U.S. diplomats working in Cuba suffered severe hearing loss, possibly from a covert listening device deployed in or near their homes, U.S. officials confirmed Wednesday. The problems began in the fall of 2016, when several diplomats complained of unexplained hearing loss. Some had to return to the United States because the damage was so severe. U.S. investigators eventually concluded a sonic device operating outside the range of audible sound caused the damage. They’re not sure whether it was meant as a weapon or had another purpose. The U.S. State Department would only confirm several diplomats suffered “a variety of physical symptoms” but would not say how many were involved. Cuban officials denied they authorized any action against the diplomats, but U.S. officials retaliated by expelling two Cuban diplomats from Washington, D.C. Cuba called the expulsions “unjustified and baseless.” Investigators also are exploring the possibility another intelligence unit, possibly from Russia, installed the device without Cuban officials’ knowledge. The United States reopened its embassy in Havana in 2015.