I can hear all electric fuel pumps when they come on. Including the in tank. In fact, turning the ignition switch to run without starting the engine is one of the tests on EFI cars to confirm the pump isn't bad.
Anyone who isn't hard of hearing clearly can hear it click on momentarily at that point.
In my case with my Pantera, there is little way to hear a chassis mounted electric pump. Installing a manual on/off switch for it, presuming that you retain a functioning mechanical pump would be the best option as well as mounting the pump on rubber blocks.
Considering the fuel pump repairs that I have done, it is more common to have the pump eccentric come loose internally or in fact the wrong pump installed to begin with then to have the actual pump fail.
New mechanical pumps are in stock in your local Pep Boys so I can't argue that there aren't problems with them.
In recent interviews with surviving factory drivers, when asked about the SW pumps installed in the factory racing Cobras, the drivers said, one the car was running, they switched them off.
Now if you have never heard the old SW pumps run, that thing actually vibrates the chassis where it is mounted. It's as loud as a mini-cement mixer and to have to turn it off in a race car running open exhaust headers makes quite a statement.
One of the first things that I did to my Pantera was to install 2" thick foam insulation under stainless steel fitted sheets on the firewall. That helps tremendously.
As MJ states, you don't NEED to mount it low. It's such a short rise up, none of the pumps I've run have ever had issues with running dry but considering how far away the mechanical pump is from the exhaust in my car (180° headers up and back) the vapor lock issue is more of where the fuel lines themselves are.
You should note though that 1/4" thick Delrin insulating gaskets are available for the mechanical pumps.
With any of the carbs available, you don't need to run more pressure then the mechanical pumps make to begin with and considering the failure rate that I have seen with the Viton carb inlet needle and seat, it's risky to run much more then about 5psi.