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Whale song? Ocean Surf? Pink Noise?
You guys must be from the West Coast!
It's not your earphones it is what you are listening to!
Crank up some ACDC, James Gang (Thirds album - made loud to be played loud),The Who (Who's next would be favorite), Derek and the Dominoes, Neil Young, etc. (you get my drift...)
You won't hear anything else while listening. Or for some time after you stop for that matter. 
Because music activates a different part of your brain than speech and logic it dose not interfere with your productivity.
I went to BestBuy and got some "JAM" model HX-HP420A (house brand I guess - wireless) cheap and a Bluetooth usb plug-in and they do the trick.
A giraffe is a horse spec'd by a committee and created by an Agile team...
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I have used a combination of Pioneer SE-NC31C-K earbuds and an app called SimplyNoise (available as a webpage too) to block out ambient noises so I can concentrate. The ear tips make a decent mechanical seal and the noise canceling is very effective, especially at slightly higher volume. A fairly low volume is all that is needed to block out most conversation while still being able to hear people addressing me directly.
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I messed around with several different types. I found some that worked, but only in the quiet office I WAS in. They don't work where I'm at now, at least not all the time. The place I work at now has low rise cubicals (they are only chest high if you're standing) and more than one department on the floor.
One thing I've learned that needs to be considered is the amount of noise that escapes them. I mean, if you turn the volume up on music you can distract others, which is not ideal. You want to be listening to something loud without having it heard outside the head set (i.e. the old walkman ones won't be a good choice).
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
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I am similar to you when it comes to noise. My office is also an open-plan to encourage "collaboration". Recently we moved to a separate, quieter space. Not perfect but much, much, better. If only people a) Didn't feel the need to babble incessantly; b) Realized and regulated the volume of their speaking voices.
Over the years I spent thousands of dollars on Bose noise cancelling headphones and earbuds, Shure earbuds, and noise isolating headphones. I found that noise cancelling headphones/earbuds simply didn't reduce enough outside noise. They provided some relief but I was hoping for close to 100%. Noise isolating/attenuating headphones can remove more background noise but the fit can be extremely tight so you'll have to experiment. Look for the highest noise attenuation value you can find (in db). You'll sacrifice music quality but it doesn't sound like that would be an issue for you. Good luck!
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I had the same set of problems - I changed jobs. If the idiot managers think that everyone is like them, then they deserve to have everyone like them.
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I like my AKG K-271 MKII for exactly that purpose - with the alternative ear pads of fluffy stuff (not the artificial leather ones), I can wear them for hours.
They are self-adjusting (it does work), very comfy, and sound great (for closed-system cans, which is what you want in your scenario)
They helped me survive in a game company with 30 or so people in one giant room, no walls to the kitchen area with huge coffee grinder, elevator opened directly into the room, wooden floor with some people having noisy shoes...
Let me add that I am not one to crank his music up to ear damage levels. The phones do dampen outside noise somewhat.
Alternatively, try soft silicone ear-plugs. Like Alpine "Sleep Soft" for only moderate reduction. Be sure not to show the packaging to your boss, there could be misunderstandings. 
I wear those every night, so I guess you won't be uncomfortable wearing them during working hours. They last about a year if you clean them once in a while.
There are similar types of ear plugs with more "discs" than two which reduce noise more, like those made for concerts. I don't remember a particular product.
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I have a pair of these Ultra Phones[^] and really like them. My ears don't get sore even when having them on all day, I only need to crank the music up to about 5% to drown out the conversations around me, and they have a really nice sound.
We can program with only 1's, but if all you've got are zeros, you've got nothing.
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Thanks, that could work too. Still helluva lot better than the office chatter.
Life is too shor
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i have a few options. one is construction 'headphones'. the ones i have are cheap so i *also* wear sponge plugs with them when nec.
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Here in Germany this type of laying battery office is also popular with companies that like to save money. One (time honoured*) way of reducing noise is available as a product called "Oropax". It consists of small beads of wax mixed with cotton which you plug in your ear. You can use these for several days before they become uncomfortable to wear. You could wear them in addition to headsets to improve noise reduction
Good luck in your crusade against noise pollution!
*) Ulysses used wax to block out the Sirens song so that his crew would not be seduced by them...
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I have a set of Plantronics Audio 995H. They are cordless and fit over your ears. No static or distortion from the cordless bit. Good quality sound.
Good luck.
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Pap Peti was on his way to an ecumenical conference in Esztergom. As the train journey would be long his housekeeper had packed him a lovely picnic for the trip, the sun is shining over the pusta and all is wonderful in Mary's country.
Just before the train left, Kovacs Janos climbs sweating into the carriage and plops down in the seat opposite the priest. "Jo napot" [good day] is exchanged and both men settle back for the ride.
As the train gets going, Peti takes out the magnificent feast and spreads it on the seat beside him. There is ham, kolbasz, cheese, zsemle still warm from the bakery, fresh paprikas, tomatoes and three types of pickles. His dear housekeeper has even put in a nice, but not too expensive, bottle of wine. Everything for a wonderful meal is there except...
... Except there is nothing, not one thing, to cut the food with! How can he possibly eat without some sort of cutlery? He is a man of the cloth and cannot lower himself to eat like a commoner.
Noticing his distress, old Janos pulls out his trusted pocket knife. He opens the knife, wipes it on his trousers and proffers it to the priest.
At last Peti can enjoy his food and it certainly tastes as good as it looked. He dines and sips upon his wine, enjoying his feast but not once does he offer so much as crumb to the peasant in front of him.
On finishing, Peti returns the knife Janos and at least offers some thanks. He comments how sharp and well maintained it is!
"Thank you," says Janos, "It is the knife I use for castrating the bull-calves."
veni bibi saltavi
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Nagyon magyar.
[Very Hungarian.]
Life is too shor
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Curse a gnome, sage & onion pie.
veni bibi saltavi
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Probiotic goat extract (10)
BUTTERMILK
I am not a number. I am a ... no, wait!
modified 13-Apr-16 9:21am.
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baconfoods
Life is too shor
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The rasher the answer, the wronger it is!
I am not a number. I am a ... no, wait!
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MOZZARELLA?
(Assuming you can get Goat's Milk Mozzarella instead of the usual Buffalo?)
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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No goat has ever contributed to Mozzarella as far as I know but you're way closer than the other answerer.
I am not a number. I am a ... no, wait!
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I am appalled to discover that the EU classification does not stipulate the type of milk required (really, what is the fricking point of a Traditional Specialities Guarantee that doesn't actually guarantee the tradition at all - my referendum vote swings ever further!) so it would appear that you are correct. Still not the right answer though.
I am not a number. I am a ... no, wait!
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I get the feeling you are going to be up again tomorrow!
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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I get that feeling every time I post one! 
I am not a number. I am a ... no, wait!
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Maybe you overcomplicate them?
Oh well, that's your four hours! So what was the answer?
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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