Effects of temporal-lobe damage on perception of dichotically presented melodies.

Abstract

Patients with temporal-lobe lesions received 2 dichotic auditory tests, 1 consisting of melodies and the other of digits. The relative efficiency with which dichotic input to the 2 ears is handled was shown to vary with the side of the lesion and the nature of the stimulus materials employed. Perception of dichotically presented melodies was selectively impaired by right temporal lobectomy whereas perception of dichotically presented digits was selectively impaired by left temporal lobectomy. Findings confirm indications of earlier studies in pointing to functional asymmetries of the 2 temporal lobes in man.