[washadjeffmad]

Between industry, offices, and schools, I bring earplugs with me everywhere and hand them out to people who have to work in these types of environments.

A lot of the time, people can't get away to hear themselves think, and it stresses them out more than they realize. Imagine never feeling like you're as focused and productive as you're used to being and the impact that might take on your self appraisal; it's like never being able to get comfortable in bed, night after night. Using the plugs helps people get away mentally and maintain their focus when they can't separate themselves from their environment.

Also, the people who might more casually chatter at you stop when they notice you've got them in without you having to decide whether to be polite and acknowledge them, which besides sparing your focus might help the ones who have a harder time controlling their socializing reign theirs in.

[r00fus]

Earplugs are not a panacea. I find when they're plugged up I can't breathe properly (seriously). Over-ear headphones are ok to isolate noise, but have their own comfort issues.