Parallel processing in human audition and post-lesion plasticity

Recent activation and electrophysiological studies have demonstrated that sound recognition and localization are processed in two distinct cortical networks that are each present in both hemispheres. Sound recognition and/or localization may be, however, disrupted by purely unilateral damage, suggesting that processing within one hemisphere may not be sufficient or may be disturbed by the contra lateral lesion. Based on the results of our research on acute and chronic lesions, patterns of recovery and functional imaging, evidence will be presented, which support the latter hypothesis.