That's an individual response to an organizational problem, and the organizational problem remains. The company has created an environment that is actively hostile to productivity, and you are cleverly finding a way around it.
That's great for you. But I find headphones uncomfortable to some degree. I find music distracting much of the time. I've tried, believe me. I think I'm not alone in this, so expensive headphones are not a total answer. But the larger issue remains: why should individual employees have to find ways around a productivity-killing environment created by the employer? It's absurd.
Note: some time ago on another HN thread I wrote a similar comment. I feel it's worth repeating my sentiments here. On that thread, amusingly, people responded to me with suggestions for nicer headphones and types of music. Don't bother for two reasons: 1) I've explored the options already, and 2) you're missing my point entirely.
NCH don't help with visual distraction, the ease of bothering you rather than emailing you, nor the oppressive heat/shivering cold that always happens in rooms designed for too many people (or worse, NOT designed for too many people).
At VP/CTO level, you're not coding most of the time, you're coordinating. That's a completely different story.
I work in an unusually noisy operation, right next to ecommerce field ops and my Ultimate Ears are a godsend.
At the VP/CTO level, it wont help because you will be talking to people all day anyway.