This happened to me as well. Spotted a zombie in the distance. Turned around and went into a house. Five minutes later, I heard zombie aggro, and she appeared through the wall of the house and attacked me.

Same happens to me. For a long time I just thought I wasn't seeing them. I just don't think they're there.

Same happens to me. I was able to open the player list and scroll through the players. I happened to notice that occasionally, the "Mute" word would be underlined when I heard this global noise. I muted that player, and the problem was solved. Not a fix, for sure, but a workaround.

I had this happen once at a water pump in Kabanino. Drank fine previously in Novy, but I couldn't drink from the pump in Kab.

I have had some floating loot, but I don't have a problem with loot quantity. I was able to move inland, and although most of Novy and Stary were well looted, I was able to find a Mosin and an axe together in shed that had been overlooked. It's all in the details, and I love that.

I do think the hunger/thirst rates are set too high. I'm all for struggling to survive in-game, but it seems like you have to constantly eat or drink in order to stave off unconsciousness. It seems like I'm spending all my time just on character maintenance.