INTRODUCTION: Masking Level Difference (MLD) is part of a series of tests conducted to evaluatecentral auditory processing behavioras well as decoding and binaural interaction abilities. It determines the auditory level by presenting a pulsatile clear tone to both ears while simultaneously presenting amasked rustling. OBJECTIVE: To establish reference values for MLDin subjectsaged 18-39 years. METHODOLOGY: Research was conducted to determine the difference between the audibility levels achieved during 2 different presentationsof signal/rustling relation. MLD concerns to signal level detection, which has occurred in a couple of masking terms - SoNo (homophase) and Sπ, no(antiphase)- are binaural on phase and off it. RESULTS: Out of the 100 subjects, 71% presented average values at 7.47dB. No relevant statistical difference was observed between the genre (0.719) and age (p<0.884) of the patients. CONCLUSION: According to similar scientific literature, MLD values ≥7dB wereconsidered normal andvalues ≤6dB wereconsidered abnormal in adults. Subjects with values below normalwere examined and referred for otolaryngologist evaluation. This research emphasizes the importance of continuous binaural interaction ability tests such as MLD, which is capable of sound-source localization and speech recognition in the presence ofrustling.
