Ear dominance and sequential interactions.

When two tones of different frequency are simultaneously presented, one to each ear, a single pitch may be heard that corresponds to the frequency delivered to one ear rather than to the other. That is, the frequency information delivered to one ear may be followed and to the other ear suppressed. The present study explored the sequential conditions under which this effect occurs. Clear ear dominance was obtained in sequences where the two ears received the same frequency in succession. However, ear dominance was absent in sequences where successive dichotic chords were composed of different frequencies. From these and other findings a basis for ear dominance is proposed.