I wonder how something as utilitarian as a volume control or battery status icon could disturb or distract someone. Sure for a minimal aesthetic it could be considered superfluous, but a distraction? Seems a bit neurotic to me.
I find it a stretch to say any of the examples you mention are analogous to small static monotone icons in the corner of a screen; they no more distract me than the 'Eject' key on the keyboard does.