• Depending on where you live it and the job you do, you may be possible to get an exception to the rule against wearing headphones.

    If you’re in the US or UK, I know it would be your right to request reasonable accommodation for ADHD - either under the ADA or the Equality Act.

    Obviously if there’s a good reason to disallow headphones (for example, if there’s some danger that you wouldn’t be able to hear) then this wouldn’t help. But if it’s just the company being controlling, you can probably get an exception.

    • Im in the UK so I assume this applies, I just don’t want to be that guy that’s like yeah I’m going to force you to let me wear headphones.

      I still have to work there after all and I don’t want things to be awkward. Although I would get in to less friendly arguments about politics and such if I could wear them and I could also drown out my own mind.

      • It doesn’t need to be a confrontation - just have a chat with your manager, mention that you have an ADHD diagnosis and that you have been recommended some things to help improve your focus, attention and performance at work, and that one of those suggestions was listening to music or white noise through headphones, and ask if it could be considered as an adjustment due to your disability. If you frame it as a collaborative and positive action that you can take together, rather than something you’re demanding to be different, I don’t think there’s any reason for your manager to be offended by the request.