Masking

A property of the human auditory system by which an audio signal cannot be perceived in the presence of another audio signal.

More intense sounds mask less intense ones. The amount of masking depends on the proximity of the frequency components of the two sounds, as well as on the global intensity of the masker. The greater the level, the greater the extent to which a given masker frequency can mask target components at higher frequencies.

Masking threshold

A function in frequency and time below which an audio signal cannot be perceived by the human auditory system.

See also: Critical Band, Discrete Tone.