What does the term "masking" refer to in audiological testing?

Masking in audiological testing refers to a technique used to prevent the non-test ear from hearing sounds that may influence the test results. During audiometric testing, it is crucial to isolate the ear being tested to accurately assess its hearing ability. If sound is presented to one ear and the other ear can also hear it, the results may not reflect the true hearing threshold of the test ear.

Masking involves introducing a competing noise, typically white noise or narrowband noise, into the non-test ear. This noise makes it difficult for the non-test ear to perceive the tones or stimuli being presented to the test ear, allowing for a more accurate measurement of hearing thresholds. This technique is especially important in cases of asymmetrical hearing loss, where one ear has significantly better hearing than the other. By effectively masking the non-test ear, clinicians can ensure that they are evaluating the auditory capabilities of the test ear alone, which leads to more reliable and valid testing outcomes.