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auditory masking

a reduction in the ability to detect, discriminate, or recognize one sound (the signal or target) due to the presence of another sound (the masker), measured as an increase in the detection threshold caused by the masker. The amount of masking is the increase in threshold measured in decibels (dB). For example, if the detection threshold with no masker is 10 dB SPL (decibels sound-pressure level) and the masker raises the threshold to 60 dB SPL, the amount of masking is 50 dB or, equivalently, the masker produces 50 dB of masking. The ability of one sound to mask another has been used extensively to assess the frequency selectivity of the auditory system. See also critical band; masking.

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Psychology term of the day

January 19th 2025

herpetic neuralgia

herpetic neuralgia

pain associated with shingles, caused by reactivation of the herpes varicella-zoster virus (see herpes infection). Following an attack of chicken pox, the virus lies dormant in a dorsal nerve root and ganglion of the spinal cord; when reactivated, it spreads down the sensory nerve, causing vesicle formation and severe, burning, lancinating pain. This acute pain typically resolves in 3 to 5 weeks, but patients often develop the chronic, debilitating pain known as postherpetic neuralgia.