I’ve tried foam earplugs, but those are impossible to use socially as everything’s too muddy. Also they’d end up sliding out eventually.
I eventually bought audiophile grade earplugs and they are FANTASTIC but the flange tips irritate my ears so bad.
I know circumaural headphones work great, but people have a harder time understanding I’m just using them as a filter to even hear them.
My focus is arguably worth it as a senior developer. I am totally prepared to throw some absurd scratch to solve this problem. Lol.
Customs sometimes come with optional inserts as well so you can get multi purpose use out of them. One for blocking the world out and others for high quality sound for a concert or other loud place where you do want to hear whats going on better without completely muting it.