A Comparison of the Performances of a Right Hemispherectomized Subject and 25 Normals on Four Dichotic Listening Tasks

Abstract

Two verbal and two non-verbal dichotic listening tasks were performed by one right hemispherectomized and 25 right-handed subjects. The normal subjects obtained better scores at the right ear on the verbal tasks, and better scores at the left ear on the non-verbal tasks. The operated subject obtained better right ear scores on the verbal tasks and on one of the non-verbal tasks. On the remaining non-verbal task the operated subject had a slightly higher left ear score, and it was suggested that this task was unaffected by the right hemispherectomy. These results were discussed in terms of the functional organization of the cerebral hemispheres, and a hierarchy of organization was postulated.