Optimized Active Noise Cancellation for Hearing Tests Using Auditory Masking Characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: Environmental noise poses a major barrier to the accuracy of self-administered hearing tests conducted outside clinical settings. There is a pressing need for effective noise control solutions to enable reliable hearing threshold measurements in everyday environments. This study introduces an optimized active noise cancellation (ANC) technique based on auditory masking characteristics. METHOD: The method was implemented in a mobile hearing test system using calibrated true wireless Bluetooth earphones. Electroacoustic validation and clinical testing were conducted across four ANC scenarios: normal, generic ANC off, generic ANC on, and optimized ANC on in 65 dB(A) pink noise. RESULTS: A total of 50 participants completed hearing tests at eight frequencies (0.25-8 kHz), and results were compared to standard audiometry. The optimized ANC yielded the highest signal-to-noise ratio in noisy conditions and demonstrated strong agreement with standard hearing thresholds (r = 0.99, p <.01) in normal environments. Under 65 dB(A) noise, the proposed method significantly outperformed generic ANC with smaller hearing measurement error, improving threshold accuracy across most frequencies. CONCLUSION: The proposed ANC technique enhances hearing test reliability in noisy conditions, supporting accurate, self-administered hearing assessments outside clinical settings. This technology has strong potential for home or community-based hearing healthcare applications.