Hormones and dichotic listening: Evidence from the study of menstrual cycle effects

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThis report presents evidence for changes in dichotic listening asymmetries across the menstrual cycle, which replicate studies from our laboratory and others. Increases in the right ear advantage (REA) were present in women at phases of the menstrual cycle associated with higher levels of ovarian hormones. The data also revealed correlations between hormone levels and behavioural measures of asymmetry. For example, the pre-ovulatory surge in luteinising hormone (LH) was related to a decrease in left ear scores, which comprised a key part of the cycle related shift in asymmetry. Further analysis revealed a subgroup of women who had not reached postovulatory status by days 18-25 of the cycle, as verified by low progesterone levels. These women showed laterality profiles at days 18-25 that looked more like the other women when measured at the periovulatory phase (i.e., days 8-11). Data were combined with those from a previous study to highlight the stability of effects. Results showed a distinct menstrual cycle related increase in asymmetry in the combined sample. This final comparison confirmed the nature of sex differences in dichotic listening as being dependent on hormone status in women.

Sex hormones affect language lateralisation but not cognitive control in normally cycling women

“…In contrast to the majority of studies investigating menstrual cycle effects on language lateralisation as measured by DL (Cowell et al, 2011;Wadnerkar et al, 2008;Sanders and Wenmoth, 1998), the current study found a reduction in lateralisation when estradiol and progesterone levels were high, regardless of the attention condition. As different attention conditions were used, resulting in either LEAs or REAs, it is unlikely that the general reduction in language lateralisation is due to sex hormones selectively affecting one hemisphere.…”

“…In conclusion, in contrast to previous studies (Hjelmervik et al, 2012;Cowell et al, 2011;Sanders and Wenmoth, 1998;Wadnerkar et al, 2008), the present study revealed a reduced lateralisation in women with high levels of estradiol and progesterone across all DL conditions. This suggests that the proposed estradiol-related improvements in cognitive control may be smaller than previously reported (Hjelmervik et al, 2012).…”

“…Alexander et al, 2002;Hampson, 1990aHampson, , 1990b or consonant-vowel syllables (e.g. Cowell et al, 2011;Wadnerkar et al, 2008;Sanders and Wenmoth, 1998). One stimulus is presented to the left and the other is presented simultaneously to the right ear.…”

“…In contrast to studies using visual paradigms, the majority of DL studies looking at menstrual cycle effects reported increased language lateralisation when levels of estradiol and/or progesterone are high (Cowell et al, 2011;Hampson, 1990aHampson, , 1990bSanders and Wenmoth, 1998;Wadnerkar et al, 2008). However, there are also DL studies showing the opposite, a decreased REA during the luteal phase ("premenstrual week", Alexander et al, 2002;Altemus et al, 1989;midluteal phase, Mead & Hampson, 1996).…”

Avaliação da percepção auditiva em mulheres durante ciclo menstrual: revisão sistemática

“…18,19,20 Na coleta da saliva, é verificada a concentração dos esteroides livres que estão presentes na circu- Quanto aos resultados dos testes de escuta dicótica, pode-se observar nas pesquisas uma prová-vel influência dos hormônios esteroides ovarianos na percepção auditiva. 12,13,14,15,16,17,18 Um estudo utilizou o teste de escuta dicótica consoante-vogal (CV) em mulheres durante o ciclo menstrual, demonstrando melhor desempenho na orelha direita na fase lútea média, em comparação com a fase menstrual. O autor justifica que o nível elevado de estrogênio na fase lútea média reforça a função do hemisfério esquerdo, resultando em vantagem da orelha direita.…”