Masking in Audiometry III: Reflections upon the present position

Abstract

The rules governing the use of masking in air and bone conduction audio-metry are discussed and the situations leading to cross-hearing are presented. The advantages and disadvantages of the bone conduction masking procedure (Rainville) are considered. The authors at present prefer a frontal placement of the bone conduction receiver, the masking noise being led to the ear by an ear canal insert. The latter increases the interaural attenuation by 15 to 20 db and thus facilitates bone conduction audiometry.