Dichotic listening and left–right confusion

The present study examined the relationship between individual differences in dichotic listening (DL) and the susceptibility to left–right confusion (LRC). Thirty-six men and 59 women completed a consonant–vowel DL test, a behavioral LRC task, and an LRC self-rating questionnaire. Significant negative correlations between overall DL accuracy and LRC rates in men (behavioral task) and self-ratings in women, indicated that the more participants struggled with left–right discrimination, the fewer DL syllables they reported correctly. However, there was no relationship between LRC and the typical right ear advantage. Thus, there is a sex- and task-dependent relationship between LRC and overall DL accuracy, but not between LRC and ear asymmetry. It is concluded that (a) atypical ear asymmetries, as in certain clinical populations, cannot be explained by associated deficits in left–right discrimination, and (b) LRC can negatively affect task performance, even when participants do not have to make explicit “left” versus “right” decisions.

Research highlights
► We examined links between dichotic listening (DL) and left–right confusion (LRC).
► Men with higher rates of left-right errors report fewer DL syllables correctly.
► Women with higher self-ratings of LRC report fewer DL syllables correctly.
► The typical right-ear advantage was not related to LRC neither in men nor women.
► Left/right discrimination ability affects overall DL accuracy but not DL asymmetry.