Final answer:
Masking is the phenomenon where loud sounds prevent hearing softer sounds, occurring because loud noises overwhelm sensory cells in the ears, potentially leading to permanent hearing damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The psychoacoustic phenomenon that occurs when loud sounds prevent the ear from hearing softer sounds is known as masking. This happens because the loud sounds overwhelm the sensory cells in our ears, making it difficult to perceive quieter sounds. An example of this is when you cannot hear someone speaking to you in your car because a passing motorist is playing their music at a high volume. Masking is an important concept in the study of hearing and auditory health, especially considering that exposure to high sound intensity can result in permanent hearing damage. This is why people working in noisy environments, like musicians or industrial workers, should protect their hearing with earplugs or other hearing protection devices to prevent hearing loss.