Predictions, inferred from Small's model, of significantly lower auditory adaptation when test‐tone intensity exceeds adapting‐tone intensity were confirmed. Adaptation effects with test and adapting tone equal in intensity increased between 40 and 60 dB and remained relatively constant between 60 and 80 dB. When adapting‐tone intensity exceeded test‐tone intensity, previous findings that adaptation does not increase generally were confirmed. Theoretical implications of the results are discussed.