Masking by Tones vs Noise Bands

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Abstract
In a previous study it was proposed that tonal masking arose mainly from the cochlear activity pattern of the masking tone, modified by the formation of beats between the signal and masking tones. The present study cast further light on these proposed mechanisms by comparing the masking effects of pure tones of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 cps at 60 and 80 db with 1/3 octave bands of noise of equal intensities and centered at the same frequencies. The noise bands produced about the same amount of extended masking despite the absence of any possible aural harmonic distortion by greater direct masking due to the elimination of beats. Furthermore, the noise-masking curves joined the tone-masking curves at the second peak in the latter, providing strong additional support for the proposed mechanisms of auditory masking.

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