Final answer:
Sustained exposure to sound volumes over 85 decibels can cause hearing damage. Protection is recommended for exposure to sound levels above this threshold, and louder sounds can cause damage much more rapidly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hearing damage can occur from sustained exposure to sounds above certain intensity levels. While short-term exposure to high volumes, such as listening to rock music or being near a jackhammer, might not immediately show signs of damage, repeated exposures can lead to permanent hearing loss. Several government agencies and health-related professional associations recommend that sound levels should not exceed 85 decibels (dB) for 8-hour daily exposures, unless hearing protection is used. Sounds at a volume of 100 to 105 decibels, such as those from earbuds at maximum volume, may cause noise-induced hearing loss after just 15 minutes.
It's essential to take protective measures like wearing earplugs or ear muffs, limiting exposure time, and maintaining a reasonable distance from the source of loud sounds. At a sound intensity level of 90.0 dB, an 8-hour exposure may result in hearing damage, and the energy falling on a 0.800-cm-diameter eardrum can be quantified in joules to demonstrate the potential risk to hearing health. Without such precautions, individuals increase their risk of age-related hearing loss.