Final answer:
In 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,' the sharp sounds of gunfire and artillery hurt Peyton Farquhar's ears as part of his final hallucinatory experiences before his death.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce, Peyton Farquhar experiences acute pain in his ears caused by the sounds of gunfire and artillery. The sharp pressure on his throat from the noose when he is hanged triggers this sensation as he drops through the bridge. Farquhar is subsequently subjected to a series of intense, vivid sensations as he perceives he is escaping, including the loud sounds of his supposed environment. However, the story reveals that these are hallucinations occurring in the moments before his death, and the physical pain he feels, including the intense sound that hurts his ears, is part of his final experiences.