Review of the Factors Affecting Dichotic Listening

Abstract

Background and Aim: Dichotic listening (DL) test is a  non-invasive  method  used  to study hemispheric asymmetry, hemispheric dominance for language processing, or brain lateralization. In addition to the type, concurrence, and the intensity of stimuli presented to the ears, other factors exist that may have less effect on the DL test results. This review study aims to find these factors. Recent Findings: The factors that affects the DL included ear advantage, attention, working memory, gender, and top-down and bottom-up factors. These factors were reviewed and discussed in detail so that more precise test results can be obtained. Moreover, due to the significant effects of each factor on the test results, manipulation of these factors was also reviewed. Conclusion: According to the results of previous studies, ear advantage, attention, working memory, gender, and top-down and bottom-up factors play an important role in the interpretation of DL results; their negligence during the test can affect the outcomes and provide incorrect brain lateralization results. Keywords: Dichotic listening; ear advantage; top-down; bottom-up; working memory; attention