forward masking

noun

: masking (see masking entry 1 sense 2c) of one stimulus by the occurrence of another stimulus right before it

Forward masking is a form of temporal inhibition in which a loud sound suppresses the response to subsequent sounds …

—Erik C. Sobel and David W. Tank, Science, 11 Feb. 1994

Some investigators have reported that people with hearing loss exhibit more forward masking than would be predicted based on the test results of normal-hearing individuals.

—Vishakha W. Rawool, The Hearing Review, June 2006

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

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