How is impulse noise typically defined?

Impulse noise is typically defined as a brief burst of sound that can occur in very short durations, often characterized by sharp, high-energy peaks. The correct answer reflects that impulse noise often presents itself in a pattern that may resemble "beats" due to the rapid succession of these sound pulses. This characteristic contributes to their ability to cause sudden spikes in sound levels that have the potential to lead to hearing damage, especially at high decibel levels.

While impulse noise can indeed be loud—often exceeding 100 dB—the focus of the definition is not solely on the decibel level but rather on the nature of the sound itself and its abruptness. It's also essential to note that such noise can potentially cause hearing loss, which contradicts any notion that it cannot cause harm. Therefore, understanding impulse noise as a pattern of repeating bursts aligns with other characteristics that define its potential impact on hearing health.