What audiological concept refers to artificially raised thresholds due to test inaccuracies?

The concept that refers to artificially raised thresholds due to inaccuracies during testing is known as over masking. This occurs when the masking noise, which is intended to prevent the test ear from hearing any cross-hearing from the non-test ear, is so intense that it affects the thresholds obtained in the test ear. As a result, the thresholds appear artificially high, leading to misinterpretation of the degree of hearing loss.

In audiological practice, proper masking is crucial to obtain accurate thresholds; however, if too much masking is applied, it can raise the perceived threshold levels, thus providing an incorrect picture of a patient's hearing capability. This highlights the importance of applying correct masking levels and understanding the contributions of both ambient noise and masking noise in audiometric testing.

Understanding this concept is vital for audiologists, as it influences diagnosis and subsequent treatment strategies. Accurate assessment of hearing thresholds is key to determining appropriate interventions for individuals with hearing impairments.