Final answer:
Overmasking causes an increase in the auditory threshold in the TE, making it harder to detect sounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Once overmasking occurs, the threshold in the TE will increase.
Overmasking is a phenomenon that happens when a masker, such as loud noise, reduces the auditory threshold so much that it becomes difficult or impossible to detect a signal, even when it is presented at a higher intensity. This means that the normal threshold for hearing is raised, and it becomes harder to hear sounds that were previously audible.
For example, if a person is exposed to loud noise for a prolonged period, their auditory threshold may increase, and they may find it more challenging to hear softer sounds.