Originally Posted by
China Clipper
So we have a consensus that noise-cancelling headphones are the answer, and also this post detailing how the noise-cancelling headphones will let you clearly hear conversations 5-6 rows away.
The problem is that noise-cancelling headphones are most effective in cancelling continuous noise, such as from jet engines, and least effective at highly variable sounds. This is why I would recommend noise-
insulating earphones instead. Sort of combination earplug and earphone, so that whatever you play through them helps to drown out whatever they don't block.