The rule for masking for SRT requires which condition?

The requirement for masking during Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) testing is to ensure that the Non-Test Ear (NTE) does not contribute to the hearing threshold assessment of the Test Ear (TE). Delivering speech spectrum masking noise to the NTE effectively masks the sound in that ear, allowing for a more accurate determination of the speech reception threshold in the TE.

Speech spectrum noise is more effective in masking because it resembles the same frequency characteristics of the speech signals being tested, making it more efficient in preventing the NTE from perceiving these signals. This is crucial in audiometric testing, as it ensures that any responses are solely from the TE, thereby providing a valid measure of the individual's hearing ability in relation to speech.

In contrast, while narrow band noise may be effective in some contexts, it does not provide the comprehensive masking needed for a speech reception task, as it may not cover all relevant frequencies. White noise can be less effective for masking speech perception due to its full frequency spectrum, which is not aligned with the speech signals, potentially allowing some speech sounds to be perceived by the NTE. Broad band noise directed toward the TE would not assist in achieving the masking goal for SRT testing since it would not effectively target the non-test ear