In one place I worked, the ambient sound was so loud that not only did everyone wear headphones, but the best way to chat with someone who was 3-4 desks away was to type to them while continuing to listen to whatever you had on your headphones. Of course, the place was so absurdly loud because the management insisted on an open office plan with everyone in the office so that we’d more easily be able to chat informally to foster new ideas.
In one place I worked, the ambient sound was so loud that not only did everyone wear headphones, but the best way to chat with someone who was 3-4 desks away was to type to them while continuing to listen to whatever you had on your headphones. Of course, the place was so absurdly loud because the management insisted on an open office plan with everyone in the office so that we’d more easily be able to chat informally to foster new ideas.