What is the expected outcome of effective masking during hearing assessments?

Effective masking during hearing assessments is aimed primarily at obtaining accurate results when evaluating an individual's hearing thresholds. Masking is utilized when there is a risk of cross-hearing, where the participant hears sounds through bone conduction rather than air conduction, potentially skewing the results. By employing effective masking, clinicians can ensure that the non-test ear is sufficiently obscured, allowing for a precise measurement of the hearing threshold in the test ear. This leads to a clearer identification of auditory thresholds, ensuring that the audiometric results reflect the individual's true hearing capabilities.

While other outcomes, such as increased patient comfort and the perception of reduced background noise, may occur during a hearing assessment, the primary goal of effective masking is to establish valid and reliable thresholds for hearing.