What term describes the scenario when the threshold of the poorer ear is pushed upward by increasing masking noise?

The term that describes the scenario when the threshold of the poorer ear is pushed upward by increasing masking noise is known as overmasking. In audiology, overmasking occurs when the level of masking noise presented to the better hearing ear is so high that it crosses over and affects the threshold of the poorer hearing ear. This can lead to inaccurate test results, as the poor ear may register higher thresholds due to the excessive noise, making it difficult to determine its true sensitivity.

This situation is particularly important to be aware of during audiometric testing, as it can skew the results and lead to incorrect conclusions about the patient's hearing ability. It emphasizes the need for careful selection and adjustment of masking levels during hearing assessments to ensure that the testing is reliable and valid. Understanding this concept prevents audiologists from misinterpreting results that may suggest greater hearing loss than actually exists.