What instruction should be given to a patient during masking threshold determination?

During masking threshold determination, the instruction for the patient is to focus solely on the tone presented in the non-test ear (NTE), effectively ignoring the masking noise introduced in the test ear. This instruction is crucial because the goal of masking is to isolate the hearing ability of the test ear by ensuring that the patient does not perceive the masking noise, which could lead to inaccurate threshold readings.

By directing the patient to ignore the noise and respond only to the tone, you ensure that any response is specifically related to the test stimulus rather than influenced by the masking sound. This methodology is essential in audiology to obtain a clear understanding of the patient's hearing capabilities in the presence of background noise, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and fitting of hearing aids if needed.