Most anyone who's used noise-canceling headphones knows that hearing the right noise at the right time can be vital. Someone might want to erase car horns when working indoors, but not when walking along busy streets. Yet people can't choose what sounds their headphones cancel.
It’s very difficult for me to ignore background voices when I go to a public place. It would be amazing if I could wear earphones that only let me hear the people closest to me.
Have you tried regular ear plugs? The blue silicone ones are great in most settings once you get used to them