When masking for Word Recognition, what type of noise is used in the NTE?

Masking for Word Recognition in the Non-Test Ear (NTE) typically involves using broad band noise that mimics speech because this type of noise effectively simulates the acoustical characteristics of speech sounds, making it more suitable for assessing the listener's ability to understand and discriminate words. The reason this approach is preferred is that it ensures that the masking noise does not interfere with the speech understanding abilities being assessed, allowing for a more accurate evaluation of word recognition thresholds.

Broad band noise that mimics speech has a spectral composition that closely matches that of actual speech sounds, which helps to mask any residual hearing in the NTE without significantly affecting the listener's performance in the test ear. This technique is crucial in auditory assessments to prevent cross-hearing and ensure that the results reflect the true auditory capabilities of the individual being tested. By utilizing this specific type of noise, audiologists can provide more reliable and valid outcomes in their word recognition tests.