Old floresent tubes are noisey to me too. So much so that I get violently ill.

I have the compact ones at home and they don't bug me at all. And they do last longer. Allthough not as long as they claim in my house. But longer than a regular bulb. (My house is 36 years old, and I think the wiring is still funky somewhere. We are almost done replacing it all. I hope that will help.)

I like saving energy. I don't like old tube lights. ick