Have you tried running the fan and the app at the same time, or is that just too much noise? I really feel for you here because that back and forth in your head is the worst, and it sounds like you already did the fair test by giving her app a full 20 nights. That's way more of a shot than most people would give it, and if you slept worse that whole time, that's your answer right there. The dog barking thing is the real deal breaker though, because a rain track at half volume won't touch a dog at 11pm and your sleep matters more than matching your girlfriend's setup. Maybe she uses the app and you keep the fan, since two people can have two routines in the same room. Either way you're not being stubborn, you just know what actually works for you.

Wait, towhees nest on the ground in that tall stuff, they're not just scratching around.