Which term refers to the perception of sound that is blocked by surrounding structures in the ear?

The term that refers to the perception of sound being blocked by surrounding structures in the ear is the Occlusion Effect. This phenomenon occurs when the ear canal is partially or fully occluded by an object, such as a hearing aid or even a finger, leading to a change in how sounds are perceived. Specifically, it often results in the increased perception of lower frequency sounds while higher frequencies may seem diminished. This effect is important in audiology and hearing aid fitting because it impacts how sound is transmitted and received, especially when creating a natural listening experience for the user.

Interaural Attenuation refers to the decrease in sound intensity as it travels from one ear to the other, which is related to sound localization but does not describe the blockage of sound perception caused by occlusion. White Noise and Narrow Band Noise are terms that describe specific types of noise signals used in audiological assessments and sound therapy, but they do not pertain to the physical perception interference caused by anatomical blockage in the ear.