A comparative analysis was conducted to determine the behaviour of people with left-sided and right-sided damage of the hearing organ. Special attention was paid to the recognised cases of peri- and post-lingual damage. The cases of 110 children aged 6-15 years were analysed. Forty-eight children had right-sided and 62 had left-sided deafness. Achievements at school, emotions and linguistic communication were evaluated. The results of lateralisation and dictation were also assessed.