Headphones in work not allowed

Not allowed where I work mainly because it doesn't look professional. There is a point to this when work requires concentration and thought!

I'm only speaking for myself here, but I definitly work better when i have the headphones on. Of course this isn't for everyone but for me it works. I'm not talking about volume at 11 but loud enough to block out the office and allow me to concentrate on what needs to be done. I find i get into the groove (no madonna jokes please) when the music is on and i become much more productive.

I used to work in an IT company involved in the MP3 player market and MP3 headphones were, and doubtless still are, de rigeur for anyone not actually on a call. Most people would have their telephone headset on over their MP3 plugs.

Occasionally I used to wonder if some people just wore them in order not to get asked stuff and weren't listening to anything really. Only joking...

Imogen