What is the term for the intensity range of successive masking noise that results in no change in the TE's measured threshold?

The term "effective masking" refers to the intensity range of masking noise that is sufficient to prevent a change in the threshold of the test ear (TE). When effective masking is applied, the noise effectively raises the threshold of hearing in a way that does not produce any additional benefit or change in the measured threshold of the TE. This indicates that the masking noise is adequately preventing cross-hearing effects without overstepping into levels that cause the threshold to shift.

In the context of audiometry, it is crucial to apply the right amount of masking to accurately assess the hearing capabilities of an individual, particularly when testing under conditions where cross-hearing may occur, such as with a unilateral loss or in certain frequency ranges. Understanding effective masking assists hearing professionals in determining appropriate masking levels to ensure accurate threshold measurements and avoid misinterpretation of hearing abilities.

Other terms like undermasking, plateau, and overmasking are relevant in discussions about masking procedures, but they do not describe the specific range of noise intensity that reflects no change in the TE’s threshold as effectively as the concept of effective masking does.