Just realized that Stackexchange is currently showing only an abridged version of my blurb on the question of "adaption to LFN (low frequency noise)", so I past

Just realized that Stackexchange is currently showing only an abridged version of my blurb on the question of "adaption to LFN (low frequency noise)", so I paste the long version below. Links to literature can be found in my other post(s). I don't cover the involvement of the otolith organs (yet) but that's your connection of a low-frequency sound stimulus to the sensation of (whole body) vibration, dizziness, balance problems, blurred vision, changes in peripheral blood flow and breathing problems. --- Very quickly and totally from the top of my head: Traffic noise is in many cases dominated by low frequencies, with the whole spectrum somewhat similar to a distorted 1/f function, with a few tonal peaks for exhaust noise and tyre/tread sounds. Now add the structure you are living in: "excellent sound insulation" in the EU is (still) dB(A)-focused, meaning architects and planners are aiming for a "wow" effect in noise reduction by eliminating that what's easy to eliminate - high and mid frequencies, ignoring mostly the low (and energy-rich) frequencies, which are incidentally the ones the A-weighing of noise is (historically) ignoring as well. As a result, you are basically living in what's known as a low-pass filter, one that is also "drawing" tonal peaks (resonances, room nodes) out of that low-frequency noise mixture. At first, your cochlea's short-term adaption mechanisms will do their job well and tone down signals that are not meaningful (MOC reflex). Over time however, the presence of low-level tonal, continuous sounds can damage ("wear out") a specific sensor type necessary for this reflex to work. As a result, even inaudible LFN noise can, over time, lead to a distal sensitization effect. In many cases the culprit is actually not the traffic noise itself, but HVAC installations like heat pumps, A/Cs and gas turbines. The effect of "I can hear too much" (being aware of noises) as a result of sub-threshold LFN-exposure is known in the medical literature as a symptom of VAD stage I / II and in fact quite common in the urban population. Certain medications (Gentamycine, cis-platines) as well as organic solvents (acetone) and some disinfectants can speed up this process, which is non-reversible and poses a risk factor for suffering atypical (early onset) hearing loss later on... The "I hear too much" effect has been quite a solid indicator of long-term, low-level IS/LFN noise pollution. To be on the safe side and to rule out a sub-threshold LFN-problem, you should an have an acoustician do a "LCeq-LAeq" (should not be more than 3-4dB) and an unweighted (FFT) spectrogram to see if there is a constant tonal peak below, say, 50Hz. Also, try to wear good earplugs like UVEX Whisper or UVEX Whisper Plus at night until you can rule out any constant / nocturnal IS/LFN immissions into your place.