Auditory evoked potential asymmetries in right- and left-handed listeners.

While Decker [ASHA 23, 803 (1981)] reported no relationship of handedness to auditory tract preference in the auditory brainstem response, we know of no data for the middle and late potentials. This study examines the relationship of binaural interaction and lateral asymmetry in the middle and late potentials to handedness. Binaural, right monaural, and left monaural 100-μs pulses were presented to six right-handed and six left-handed normal-hearing subjects in four conditions of earphone and electronics rotations. Middle and late potential data were analyzed statistically using a time series ANOVA. Lateral asymmetries and binaural interaction were derived by subtracting left from right responses and summed monaural from binaural responses, respectively. Data indicate individual differences in the amount and direction of asymmetry. The characteristics of binaural interaction and lateral asymmetry, the relationship to handedness, and the influence of stimulus and recording asymmetries will be described for the middle latency and late potentials. [Supported by NINCDS [sharp/mesh/hash_synonym]NS11647, the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation and the Eye and Ear Foundation.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]