Comment Re:Noise canceling headphones (Score 1) 561
I actually have a set of a aviation active noise canceling headphones someone gave me as a gift. They are made to be standalone so they don't have any microphone and just take some 9v batteries. They work incredibly well at blocking out sounds and noise by themselves but I've found if you put some disposable earplugs in before you put the headphones on, then they block out ALL sound. I can't hear people who are standing 3 feet in front of me trying to talk to me much less someone who would be on the other side of a wall. Anything you wear on your head for long periods of time is eventually going to get uncomfortable, but as they are essentially aircraft headsets they are designed to be worn for long periods of time so you can wear them for some time before you have to take a break.
http://www.davidclark.com/HeadsetPgs/ENCHearProt.html