Sound propagates by compression-expansion longitudinal waves in air. Know what else 'propagates by compression-expansion longitudinal waves in air'? The shock

Sound propagates by compression-expansion longitudinal waves in air. Know what else 'propagates by compression-expansion longitudinal waves in air'? The shock waves from explosives. So, in effect, the blast shock-wave from a nuclear bomb is just another way of explaining how loud sound can physically get. Of course, whether we can detect it as sound in our ears, or otherwise by being smashed whole through a brick wall is merely being pedantic.