Final answer:
The distracting hum of a light fixture is considered background noise, which can appear dull or loud depending on the room's acoustics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distracting hum of a light fixture is background noise. This type of noise can vary in volume and intensity within a room due to the acoustics of the space. When sound waves travel through a room, their behavior is affected by the room's size, shape, and the materials inside it. Some areas may absorb sound, making the noise seem dull, while other areas may reflect sound, amplifying it and making it seem excessively loud. For instance, a traffic jam's noise can be overwhelming due to the loudness of the sound, which is related to how energetically its source is vibrating, requiring people to shout to be heard over the din.