Final answer:
The answer to the student's question about our ears tolerating up to 140 dB SPL is considered 2) Loud noise exposure. This level is extremely high and can cause immediate hearing damage if exposure is prolonged. Hearing protection and reducing exposure are important to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the student's question is 2) Loud noise exposure. The ability of our ears to tolerate noise varies with the sound pressure level (SPL) measured in decibels (dB). However, exposure to 140 dB SPL is extremely high and is not considered normal hearing, but rather a level of noise that can potentially cause immediate damage.
Prolonged exposure to levels higher than 80 dB can result in noise-induced hearing loss, and loudness exceeding 130 dB can be painful, possibly resulting in hearing loss or even deafness over time. Activities that produce similar sound levels include listening to rock music at a concert and operating a jackhammer.
For reference, normal conversation typically measures around 60 dB, whereas a whisper measures around 30 dB. Hearing loss from noise, known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), often shows a notable dip near the 4000 Hz frequency in hearing tests.
This condition can affect both ears and is unrelated to the specific frequency that caused the damage. Hearing loss due to noise exposure is one of the many factors, including age-related hearing loss called presbycusis, that can affect our hearing capabilities. Measures such as wearing ear protection and limiting exposure can mitigate the risk of hearing damage from loud noises.