Final answer:
Loudness is directly related to the amplitude of a sound wave and is experienced as the perceived intensity or strength of a sound, commonly measured in decibels (dB).
Step-by-step explanation:
The quality most closely related to the amplitude or sound pressure, which is also called the level of an auditory stimulus, is loudness. Loudness is the perception of the strength of a sound and is directly proportional to the amplitude of the sound wave. The greater the amplitude of a sound wave, the higher the sound pressure maxima and minima, and consequently, the louder the sound will be perceived. Volume, another term related to the perception of sound, is measured in decibels (dB). For instance, normal human speech occurs at around 60 dB, whereas the threshold of hearing is at 0 dB.
It is important to note that exposure to high noise levels can be hazardous to hearing, particularly in industrial settings where sound intensity levels can be significantly elevated. This is why the use of ear protection is often emphasized in such environments. Certain specialized scales such as the sound pressure level are used to measure the amplitude in specific applications, like underwater acoustics, but these are less common for everyday sounds in air.