What does effective masking ensure regarding auditory threshold measurements?

Effective masking plays a crucial role in audiological assessments by ensuring that the measurements taken reflect the true auditory capabilities of each ear without cross-hearing. When a tone is presented to one ear during testing, masking noise is introduced to the non-test ear to prevent it from influencing the results. This process eliminates uncertainty about which ear is actually perceiving the sound, thus providing clearer and more accurate threshold measurements.

By ensuring that the non-test ear is effectively masked, the clinician can accurately assess the hearing sensitivity of the test ear alone. This helps in diagnosing the degree of hearing loss appropriately and subsequently determining the best course of action for hearing management or amplification.