I cannot hear anything when coding. My coworkers learned if they needed a question answered to tap me on the shoulder and wait while my brain loaded Japanese from disk, since coding pages it out.

That actually sounds like a great work environment.

Kinda like coding at a Starbucks, where there's nonstop conversation on all sides, but a near certainty that none of it will be directed at you. White noise + Social Energy = Productivity in my experience.

I like music while coding and depending on the style, it usually doesn't distract me. But I also don't mind or even realize the lack of tunes if I'm deep into a coding session. I often marvel that I went N hours without music and didn't even notice it until I came up for air.

I hate headphones/earbuds too. Too painful to use for hours.

Silence is mandatory.

Maybe you need better headphones. I used to have a pair of crappy ones, and I hated them - and then I splurged on a pair of Sennhausers, and it's gravy.

I hate headphones/earbuds too. Too painful to use for hours.

Silence is mandatory.