Central masking is the phenomenon that results in a worsening of threshold of the test tone in the test ear when masking noise is presented to the non-test (contralateral) ear at an intensity level that is too soft to cross over to the test ear. Using what you know about the anatomy and physiology of the cochlear and retrocochlear pathways, what could be a possible reason why this phenomenon occurs?
a.The superior olivary complex is the site of decussation of afferent CN VIII nerve fibers as well as the site of neural inhibition of efferent CN VIII nerve fibers.
b.The superior olivary complex is the site of decussation of efferent CN VIII nerve fibers as well as the site of neural inhibition of afferent CN VIII nerve fibers.
c.The inferior colliculus is the site of decussation of afferent CN VIII nerve fibers as well as the site of neural inhibition of efferent CN VIII nerve fibers.
d.The inferior colliculus is the site of decussation of efferent CN VIII nerve fibers as well as the site of neural inhibition of afferent CN VIII nerve fibers.