This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8116321.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Right ear is 'best for hearing' Right ear is 'better for hearing'
(2 days later)
If you want to get someone to do something, ask them in their right ear, say scientists.If you want to get someone to do something, ask them in their right ear, say scientists.
Italian researchers found people were better at processing information when requests were made on that side in three separate tests.Italian researchers found people were better at processing information when requests were made on that side in three separate tests.
They believe this is because the left side of the brain, which is known to be better at processing requests, deals with information from the right ear.They believe this is because the left side of the brain, which is known to be better at processing requests, deals with information from the right ear.
The findings are reported online in the journal Naturwissenschaffen. The findings are reported online in the journal Naturwissenschaften.
We can also see this tendency when people use the phone, most will naturally hold it to their right ear Professor Sophie Scott, of University College LondonWe can also see this tendency when people use the phone, most will naturally hold it to their right ear Professor Sophie Scott, of University College London
In the first study, 286 clubbers were observed while they were talking with loud music in the background.In the first study, 286 clubbers were observed while they were talking with loud music in the background.
In total, 72% of interactions occurred on the right side of the listener.In total, 72% of interactions occurred on the right side of the listener.
In the second study, researchers approached 160 clubbers and mumbled an inaudible, meaningless utterance and waited for the subjects to turn their head and offer either their left or their right ear.In the second study, researchers approached 160 clubbers and mumbled an inaudible, meaningless utterance and waited for the subjects to turn their head and offer either their left or their right ear.
They then asked them for a cigarette.They then asked them for a cigarette.
Overall, 58% offered their right ear for listening and 42% their left.Overall, 58% offered their right ear for listening and 42% their left.
In the third study, the researchers intentionally addressed 176 clubbers in either their right or their left ear when asking for a cigarette.In the third study, the researchers intentionally addressed 176 clubbers in either their right or their left ear when asking for a cigarette.
The researchers obtained significantly more cigarettes when they spoke to the clubbers' right ear compared with their left.The researchers obtained significantly more cigarettes when they spoke to the clubbers' right ear compared with their left.
BrainBrain
In conclusion, the researchers said: "Talk into the right ear you send your words into a slightly more amenable part of the brain.In conclusion, the researchers said: "Talk into the right ear you send your words into a slightly more amenable part of the brain.
"These results seem to be consistent with the hypothesised specialisation of right and left hemispheres.""These results seem to be consistent with the hypothesised specialisation of right and left hemispheres."
Professor Sophie Scott, of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, agreed.Professor Sophie Scott, of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, agreed.
"Most people process speech and language on the left-hand side of the brain and while it is not cut-and-dry a lot of what goes in our right ear will be dealt with by the left-side of the brain."Most people process speech and language on the left-hand side of the brain and while it is not cut-and-dry a lot of what goes in our right ear will be dealt with by the left-side of the brain.
"The other side of the brain is more involved in things such as interpreting emotion and that is why we have these kind of findings."The other side of the brain is more involved in things such as interpreting emotion and that is why we have these kind of findings.
"We can also see this tendency when people use the phone, most will naturally hold it to their right ear.""We can also see this tendency when people use the phone, most will naturally hold it to their right ear."