Which sound poses the greatest danger to hearing upon brief exposure?

The sound produced by a jet airplane poses the greatest danger to hearing upon brief exposure due to its exceptionally high decibel level, typically reaching between 130 to 140 decibels during takeoff and landing. Sounds above 85 decibels can cause potential hearing damage with prolonged exposure, but sounds at the level of a jet airplane can cause immediate harm, leading to noise-induced hearing loss.

In contrast, while the other sounds listed—such as a ringing telephone, a lawn mower, and a jackhammer—can also be quite loud, they generally do not reach the extreme decibel levels associated with a jet airplane. For example, a jackhammer commonly produces noise in the range of 100 to 120 decibels, which is still harmful but does not have the same immediate risk level for brief exposure as the intense noise of a jet. Understanding decibel levels and their impact on hearing is crucial for recognizing the risks associated with different sounds in our environment.