Each masker dominates masking only within its own frequency region.

Evidence

These physiological measures have strong implications for masking, as we observe that a single cochlear location responds to multiple frequencies. Thus, if two frequencies are presented to the ear and they are similar to each other, these two frequencies will vibrate some of the same cochlear locations. We can think of this phenomenon as two tones competing for the same location on the cochlea, and the tone with the greater response would be the dominant one. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 437 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Auditory masking depends only on energy within a band surrounding the signal.; Masker effectiveness is determined solely by power falling within one auditory filter.; Similar frequencies mask each other by competing for the same cochlear location. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 437

Broader Connections

• Masker effectiveness is determined solely by power falling within one auditory filter. #corroborates (0.88)
• Auditory masking depends only on energy within a band surrounding the signal. #corroborates (0.82)
• Similar frequencies mask each other by competing for the same cochlear location. #corroborates (0.78) — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 437