Insufficient masking intensity to prevent crossover is known as ___________ .

Insufficient masking intensity to prevent crossover is known as undermasking. This occurs when the level of the masking noise is not adequate to prevent the test ear from hearing sounds transmitted through the non-test ear. In audiometric testing, particularly during air conduction testing, ensuring that the non-test ear is effectively masked is crucial to obtaining accurate threshold levels for the test ear. Undermasking can lead to inaccurate results because the patient may hear sounds that are not meant for them, essentially confusing their responses and leading to a misinterpretation of hearing ability.

Understanding this concept is integral for hearing aid specialists as it emphasizes the need for proper masking techniques during audiometric assessments to ensure that tests are conducted correctly and that resulting data is valid for diagnosing hearing issues. Other terms, such as overmasking or effective masking, refer to different phenomena that occur with masking levels, but they do not accurately describe the scenario of inadequate masking intensity that leads to crossover.