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This. I've found a pair of 3M Peltor Optime III do a pretty good job at keeping people away while I'm working.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peltor-Optime-Earmuffs-Headband-Bla...

North American equivalent appears to be:

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Earmuff-Protectors-Hearing-Protect...

https://www.amazon.ca/3M-Peltor-Optime-Earmuffs-H10A/dp/B000...

Yes, but co-workers don't like it and then you become the antisocial hermit in their mind.

You have to let them know why you are doing it.

>You have to let them know why you are doing it.

Absolutely, yes. When I managed a tech support team in an open plan office, the indicator for "do not disturb" was either standard headphones or ear defenders. That was part of the new starter initiation, so everyone knows from day 1.

This is one that managers don't get. They don't take into account how important it is to focus on writing code to be productive. They assign seats on some random process with no regard to keeping developers undisturbed.

I suspect that open offices cost more on productivity than they save.

It greatly helped me to buy noise-cancellation headphones. The newer Sony 1000mx3 are great...a bit pricey but have helped me so much in an open office environment.