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At what sound level does sound typically become painful to the human ear?

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In the context of audiology, the sound level at which sound typically becomes painful to the human ear is approximately 120 decibels. This level is often referred to as the threshold of pain or the threshold of feeling.1

The human ear possesses an enormous dynamic range, with the threshold of pain representing an intensity that is 12 orders of magnitude greater than the threshold of hearing. While this threshold serves as a critical warning that the limit for potential physical damage has been reached, exposure to lower levels of noise—such as those exceeding 80 to 90 decibels—can also cause gradual, permanent hearing loss by damaging the hair cells of the inner ear. Intense sound blasts, such as explosions, can further cause immediate physical trauma, including the rupture of the tympanic membrane or the dislocation of the small bones in the middle ear.123