Interaural asymmetries revealed by dichotic listening tests in normal and dyslexic children

J Am Acad Audiol. 2002 Sep;13(8):428-37.

Abstract

Normal and dyslexic right-handed children were assessed with three dichotic listening tests, the Dichotic Digits test, the Competing Words subtest of the SCAN, and the Dichotic Consonant-Vowel test. Performance was measured as both number and percentage of correct responses in the right and left ears. Laterality was defined as a simple difference in percentage between the two ears. Differences across the tests were revealed for all children, with the greatest differences occurring for left-ear responses. Only one dichotic listening test, Competing Words from the SCAN, produced a consistent right-ear advantage across all of the children tested. Between groups of children, differences in performance and in laterality were demonstrated. Using a criterion of poorer than 76 percent correct for the left ear, the Competing Words subtest of the SCAN identified 7 of the 10 dyslexic children as abnormal, with no false alarms in the control group.

MeSH terms

  • Auditory Perceptual Disorders / complications
  • Auditory Perceptual Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Child
  • Dichotic Listening Tests*
  • Dyslexia / complications
  • Dyslexia / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Phonetics
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Speech Perception / physiology