Rohloff Noise. I think that this has always being an over publicised problem. I also think that maybe the production process has improved so new hubs are less noisy than those of 5 years ago. My hub is from 2003 (only one year in a Thorn) and although not noisy it is also not silent. It has seen about 6000 miles over which time it has got quieter. However 5,7,12,14 are still noticeable. The other gears are as quite or better than a derailleur. One bonus is that I know when I am in 7th gear and know to back of a bit before changing to 8th.
It might be all in my head but the noise doesn’t decrease linearly with time but rather decreases in random step changes (especially after an oil change).