In Peopleware Demarco and Lister cite 1960s-era research from Cornell which found that having music on in the background did not interfere with logic or arithme

In Peopleware Demarco and Lister cite 1960s-era research from Cornell which found that having music on in the background did not interfere with logic or arithmetical thinking, but reduced people's ability to make creative leaps. Even if you think you're not listening to the music, part of your brain is being distracted by it. There are many who find that white noise works better than music. And there are those who require music to get anything done at all -- maybe these are the exceptions that prove the rule (hey, it's psychology -- there are exceptions to every rule), or maybe they're people who would otherwise be really creative in finding ways to waste time instead of getting work done. ;) But the Peopleware conclusion is that there really is nothing that's as good as actual quiet. That matches my experience, and apparently yours as well. Perhaps you need to do what so many other hackers are driven to do: Find the hours of the day when the building is quiet and work then. Or line your office space in soundproofing foam. Or find a quiet library nearby. Or move as soon as you can... I second the recommendation of Etymotic ER-4P earphones, BTW, if there's no other option but to try them.