Masking level difference: a measure of auditory processing capability.

MLDs are evidence of the superiority of the binaural auditory system. Cochlear lesions do not necessarily impair the MLD and persons with cortical lesions are also able to produce normal MLDs. The evidence for intermediate level auditory pathway lesions is more equivocal. The MLD is not the only measure of binaural hearing and binaural hearing is itself only one measure of a number of complex auditory processes. In this experiment measures of MLDs, localization, temporal integration, central masking and difference limen for intensity were made on 11 persons with normal hearing. Correlational analyses including factor analysis indicated that the MLD is a fairly independent measure but that central masking, brief tone audiometry and difference limen for intensity represent related auditory tasks. The relationship of localization tasks in this picture is unclear.