If you want pure DB reduction, shotgun-type ear protection works but looks weird.
I find the Bose QC2/Audio-Technica ANC-7 headphones do a good job at reducing low-frequency noise disturbances (e.g. train noise) but don't really do much with random background conversation chatter.
I find the Bose QC2/Audio-Technica ANC-7 headphones do a good job at reducing low-frequency noise disturbances (e.g. train noise) but don't really do much with random background conversation chatter.