A degradation in word recognition in the binaural condition compared to right and left monaural conditions is called _____________ .

The correct term for a degradation in word recognition in the binaural condition compared to the monaural conditions is "binaural interference." This phenomenon occurs when the auditory processing of two sound sources (in this case, words from both ears) leads to confusion or difficulty in understanding, rather than enhancing the perception of sound, which is typically expected in binaural listening situations. Binaural interference can happen due to various factors, such as frequency masking or differences in the timing and intensity of sounds reaching each ear, which can hinder the brain's ability to process the auditory information effectively.

Binaural summation refers to the positive effect on sound recognition that typically occurs when listening with both ears, leading to improved hearing through combined auditory signals. Binaural degradation is an ambiguous term that could imply a decrease in performance but does not specifically describe the interference phenomenon. Binaural hearing, while it relates to hearing with both ears, does not accurately convey the specific issue of interference that results in reduced word recognition abilities. Hence, "binaural interference" is the most accurate description of the observed phenomenon.