What is the purpose of masking in audiometry?

Masking in audiometry serves the critical function of isolating the test ear from the non-test ear's responses. When testing a patient's hearing, it is essential to gauge the true thresholds of the ear being evaluated without interference from sounds perceived in the opposite ear.

If the non-test ear picks up sounds or tones being presented to the test ear, it may produce false responses that can lead to inaccurate hearing assessments. By introducing a masking noise in the non-test ear, the audiologist ensures that this ear does not contribute to the test results, allowing for a more accurate measurement of the test ear's thresholds.

This process is crucial in situations where there is a significant difference in hearing ability between the two ears or when the test ear has better hearing thresholds than the non-test ear. Masking effectively ensures that the results obtained reflect the patient's true hearing capabilities in the test ear, leading to more effective diagnosis and management of hearing issues.