Contralateral Masking and Bfiklssy Audiometry in Normal Listeners

Abstract

The influence of low level contralateral masking on the outcome of Jerger's diagnostic Bekesy procedure was studied in normal listeners. In fixed-frequency recordings at 1000 and 4000 cps, masking of the non-test ear was found to separate the tracings for I (interrupted) and C (continuous tones). At 250 cps no separation occurred and tracings obtained with sweep-frequency technique were always superimposed. As to tracing amplitude, masking caused a statistically significant reduction in both C and I fixed-frequency tracings at 1000 and 4000 cps. At 250 cps, there was no significant change. The presence of a contralateral noise appears to influence the adaptative mechanisms of the test ear, presumably through efferent fibers to the cochlea.