Not sure if air traffic controllers do it but pilots do. Often will have one radio on in the left ear and another in the right. The newer audio panels will do “3d audio” so it’s more spatial.
When you have it this way, it’s easier for your brain to ignore one when you are paying attention to the other.
> Not sure if air traffic controllers do it but pilots do. Often will have one radio on in the left ear and another in the right.
It sounds very general, that pilots do, and often. I guess it is missing a "some", "few", and/or "I" somewhere.
Of all the various headset connectors [0], only redel/lemo and (probably) fischer are stereo. That's a very small part of the complete GA fleet, and likely even lower in commercial (if modern, using 5-pin XLR).
When you have it this way, it’s easier for your brain to ignore one when you are paying attention to the other.