The masking of tinnitus with pure tones.

The tinnitus of 32 subjects was studied. The tinnitus in each subject was matched to tones and bands of noise. Tones were then used to determine masking curves. Four types of masking curves were found. These types are similar to those previously reported. The findings also supported previous studies where tinnitus masking curves were found to differ significantly from conventional masking curves. Audiometric curves were grouped according to severity of hearing loss in order to determine whether subjects with similar threshold curves had similar masking curves. Similarities were noted in only one group: those with the least hearing loss. The relation between masking curves and the success of masking therapy is discussed.