This paper evaluates the extent to which auditory masking can be relia
bly predicted from excitation patterns. For this purpose a quantitativ
e model proposed by Glasberg and Moore [Hear. Res. 47, 103-138 (1990)]
was used to calculate excitation patterns evoked by stationary sounds
. Model simulations were performed for a number of masking experiments
, reported in the literature, by calculating excitation patterns for t
he masker-alone as well as for the masker-plus-target conditions. As a
threshold criterion, a difference between the two patterns of 1 dB at
any frequency was imposed. For narrow-band-noise masking patterns, th
e method yields a fairly precise prediction of experimental data. For
other conditions, however, systematic deviations between model predict
ions and data are observed. For instance, the model does not reproduce
the typical tip-tail shape of psychophysical tuning curves. Furthermo
re, the nonlinearities in level dependence are not correctly described
, and the model fails to reproduce a realistic two-tone masking curve.