What is the masking level required to eliminate crossover response?

The concept of masking level is crucial in auditory tests to ensure that responses measured in one ear are not influenced by sounds presented to the other ear. Crossover responses occur when sounds presented to one ear are heard by the other ear, leading to inaccurate results. The masking level required to effectively eliminate these crossover responses typically corresponds to a specific sound level determined by clinical practice and research findings.

In this context, a masking level of 60 dB pe SPL has been established as effective in ensuring that crossover responses are minimized. This level is typically sufficient to exceed the threshold of hearing in the non-test ear without overmasking the test ear. By utilizing a 60 dB pe SPL masking level, the clinician can adequately mask out any extraneous auditory input that could affect the interpretation of the results, thereby promoting the accuracy of the auditory evaluation.

Understanding the dynamics of masking and ensuring appropriate levels are applied in interoperative monitoring is crucial for obtaining reliable neurophysiologic data during surgical procedures.