> This was novel to me. Listening to music negatively affects your ability to focus? I guess it's time to throw out my headphones...

Not so fast.

Actually, listening can help you focus IF it helps you block some other distraction AND you choose something that you can stop focusing on.

When I worked at the office I used headphones whenever I wanted to block off chatter around me.

I also have tinnitus -- light music helps me mask it so it stops being distracting.