I know you're just being difficult and this is pointless but .. living under the EL (which I've done as well) is not the same as what OP is describing. Living under the EL was no big deal.

What op describes sounds fucking terrible. It's not necessary traffic beeping that happens in the city, it's not an expected train rumbling thru, it's sporadic shrill bursts of unnecessary noise...literally designed to be shrill and piercing and grab your attention.