Reaction-times of normal subjects to monaurally presented verbal and tonal stimuli

Sixteen right-handed subjects responded to monaurally presented verbal and tonal stimuli with their right and left hands at separate times. Subjects' reaction-times to speech were significantly faster when they heard words in their right ears, while their reaction-times to tones proved significantly faster after left-ear stimulations. Reaction-times to speech were significantly faster when subjects responded with their right hands, but after tonal stimulation. Left-handed responses were significantly faster. These results were interpreted as demonstrating consistent laterality effects--the faster response occurring after intrahemispheric processing. Furthermore, the interactions between ear stimulated and hand of response were suggestive of minor hemisphere processing.