Do Headphones Help Or Hurt Productivity? Interesting read

What's Coding?

Writing code, computer programming. 

Well, depends on the individual. The brain can tune out things when its focusing on something else, like when I'm listening to music and thinking, the music disappears in the background. Personally I can't tune out for long periods, so I don't listen to music when working.

I find that it helps productivity when performing a task that is monotonous/boring (and doesn't require so much attention). 

I think, listening music is like to read.

 

You can't read and do another thing on the same time.

So if you REALLY want to listen, it is impossible to do something during you are listening.

I think lot of people are listening music in the train, in the street, at work, just to make a "wall" between them and the other things. To isolate themselves. 

This is not listening music, this is just create a separation between the world and the listener.

 

When I go to a classical concert, I will not take my computer with me to work, and even sometimes when I go, if I am worry about something and thinking during the concert, I am not listening music, music is just there to help me to think.

 

So music can help to make lot of things, but if you want just to listen in the pure respect of the art, you have just to sit down, relax and concentrate yourself on the music.

For me my productivity depends on what I am listening too. Wether it is music just there to provide a background soundtrack for work (and isolation for me), or something which I actively want to *listen* to.

 

I too am a developer, and find that when I need to design or code something complex, the headphones need to come off so I can focus.

I go absolutely batty trying to do any serious project without some sort of background music/noisemaker (TV, music, etc). That's why it's about averages and not concrete definitions after all; won't stop plenty of people from insisting that I'm "wrong" though. I do know that I certainly stand apart in my concentration/focus habits - most people I work with cannot get anything done with the television and radio on (and I often have both on). Guess I never grew up...

Honestly, it depends on the music. I have no problem listening to instrumental/jazz/classical/soft music while I'm studying. But any music with vocals and I have trouble focusing on other tasks. My layman speculation is that the human brain would naturally zero in on human vocals whereas it can more easily tune out instruments.

Edited by OJNeg - 6/1/12 at 6:42pm

I used to work on a trading floor at UBS in which it was impossible to wear phones, even IEMs. The culture simply doesn't allow for it. The idea was that you had to be within ear-shot of colleagues to trade "flow" from one sales&trading desk to another. I left to work for a NYC fund and it was much of the same, but I received the go-ahead to relocate and trade from a home office. I listen all day via phones or my tube-gear (Balanced Audio) and speakers. The office is treated and far removed from the rest of the house noise/kids wreaking havoc.

 

I am far more productive in the home office environment (Sharpe/Sortino ratios, Profit Factor and VaR) and there is zero-risk I'll hit anyone during the trading day.

Edited by devgru - 6/1/12 at 7:31pm

In my opinion it depends on each and every single person. And since it's different for everyone, it's tough to regulate who should or who shouldn't or a company wide rule.

I can listen to some music while typing up a report or something, but it's a big 'no' if I need to get down on solving some problems that need high amount of brain power (maths, coding, reading technical papers etc.). I tried doing 2 things at the same time long before in the past and my productivity always went downhill faster than I expected.

Numbers don't fair well with music, but a tune can always be represented with numbers, sadly.

I vaguely recall a study that said instrumental music without vocals can be fine. Don't they say some music can make you smarter?
 

EDiT; http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100510075415.htm

Edited by Matt head 777 - 6/2/12 at 7:28am