Loss of pressurisation with damage doesn't give you any time to act appropriately. That is why it is one of the few memory items in airbus. Although FL160 is no issue really if you acted instinctively to do EMER DES you are slightly better off because of the use of speed brake which you may not use in OP DES. But this experience should not make you waste time if it happens at 350 or higher. Airbus recommends use of headset because there are no earphones with the O2 masks and noise levels may be too high for safe loudspeakers use.