Masking and Bone Conduction: A case report

Abstract

The possibility of pseudo-thresholds and pseudo-discrimination scores in an ear with almost a total, perceptive loss of hearing is a constant danger, particularly when the contralateral ear is conductively impaired and manifests hypersensitive bone conduction.

By applying basic principles of masking and bone conduction the pseudo-characteristics of the severely, perceptively deafened ear could be demonstrated. The importance of applying masking when less than a 40 db difference exists between ears by air conduction, especially when the levels at which measurements are conducted exceed 55–60 db, is brought into focus.