masking
Introduction of noise to the non-test ear during audiometry to prevent cross-hearing and ensure accurate ear-specific results.
Full Definition
Masking is a critical audiometric procedure involving the presentation of noise to the non-test ear to eliminate its participation in threshold measurement, ensuring ear-specific results. Masking is required when interaural attenuation (sound transmission between ears) could allow the better ear to respond instead of the ear being tested. The procedure uses calibrated noise (typically narrowband or speech-spectrum) at appropriate levels to isolate the test ear while avoiding over-masking or under-masking artifacts.
Usage
Usage note: In audiology context, always refers to the procedural technique, not sound masking in general acoustics.
In Context
- "Appropriate masking was applied to the left ear during right bone conduction testing." — Audiometric procedure note
- "The audiologist used the plateau method to determine adequate masking levels." — Technical methodology