What is the purpose of masking in audiometry?

Masking in audiometry serves the essential purpose of preventing cross-hearing, which occurs when testing one ear while sounds reach the other ear and potentially influence the test results. In cases where there is a significant difference in hearing sensitivity between the ears, sounds presented to the ear being tested may be heard by the non-test ear, resulting in inaccurate thresholds.

By introducing a masking noise to the non-test ear, audiologists can ensure that the patient perceives sounds in only the targeted ear, allowing for more precise assessment of hearing ability. This practice is particularly important when evaluating patients with varying degrees of hearing loss, ensuring that the results truly reflect the hearing capability of the ear in question.