Visual-Spatial Orientation, Gaze Direction and Dichotic Listening Asymmetries

The effects of visual-spatial orientation on dichotic listening performance were investigated in a sample of right-handed male and female adults. The 30 pairs of dichotic stimuli (/ba/ka/da/ga/ta/pa) were presented under three con ditions: (1) eye gaze fixed toward center, (2) eye gaze directed 20° to the right, and (3) eye gaze directed 20° to the left of center. Although no effect for gender or order was evident, a significant right ear advantage was found under all conditions. However, over all dichotic listening accuracy was significantly increased when visual-spatial orientation was directed to the right or left side of space.