Auditory masking is a phenomenon where the perception of a sound is influenced by the presence of another sound. This can make it difficult for individuals to hear or differentiate sounds in noisy environments. There are several synonyms for auditory masking, including acoustic masking, sound interference, audible interference, and auditory suppression. These terms all refer to the same concept of one sound interfering with the perception of another. Researchers and engineers are continually seeking ways to reduce auditory masking through techniques such as noise cancellation, filtering, and spatial audio processing. By minimizing auditory masking, individuals can hear and understand sounds in challenging environments more clearly.