Ok, I'll throw in here.
I've got 20 hours on my L3800 HST and while the HST whine has taken some getting used to, I still prefer hearing that whine to having to constantly use the clutch and brake for the work I do.
I've been running my BH80-X and LA463 loader quite a bit, which adds something like 2,000lbs. to the machine. It is happy to run at 2,200 - 2,500rpm in medium range, just to get from one place to another, even uphill. I use Lo range for all work. I can only foresee using Hi range to run the same setup on a fairly level, paved road. Running in Hi with a heavy load may be asking a bit much of the HST, especially a new one.
I wear earplugs. I used to shoot a lot and started developing tinnitus,which can only worsen without protection, so I wear them on the L3800 and on my motorcycle, when I'm using power tools, etc.