Differences in adult localization skills in cases of right versus left unilateral simulated-conductive hearing loss

Previous studies have indicated that subjects with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss have more difficulty localizing a 3000 Hz tone if the hearing loss is in the right ear than if the loss is in the left ear. This study investigated differences in horizontal localization ability for left and right simulated-conductive unilateral hearing loss conditions. Thirty normally-hearing collegiate subjects' horizontal localization at 3000 Hz was assessed in both of these conditions with the amount of simulated loss matched between ears. Results indicated that subjects with unilateral simulated-conductive hearing loss have difficulty localizing a 3000 Hz tone. Localization ability was significantly worse in the right unilateral hearing loss condition. The fact that subjects with right simulatedconductive hearing loss, as well as subjects with right sensorineural hearing loss, have more difficulty localizing a 3000 Hz tone indicates there may be natural psychoacoustical phenomena which facilitate better localization ability with the right ear and any interruption of the right auditory system may cause greater localization difficulties for the unilaterally hearing impaired.