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Everyone encounters noisy coworkers in their jobs, at some point in time. We try to handle these people by asking them nicely to be quiet, but this doesn't always work. Other times, we may enlist the help of others in our quest. By trying only a few easy things, we can better deal with our noisy coworkers.

Wear headphones-sound canceling headphones work well for this, but they are usually pretty pricey. Other cheaper varieties are available, although they aren't as high tech. Over-ear headphones, which cover the entire ear, or in-ear buds usually will block out most distractions, and sometimes music is great for lowering your stress level and allowing you to focus more efficiently. Music containing lyrics can be a distraction, so you should avoid this.

Buy a personal white noise machine - There's a huge range of white noise products to help you achieve speech privacy in your open office. They range from very inexpensive CD's that loop a white noise track to very high-quality, multi-channel products designed to treat entire offices or buildings. The best solution for you will depend in part on how much space you want to treat. Find a Quiet Space - Most offices have unused conference rooms, and these make great spots when you need to get away from the office banter and do some really focused work.

Discuss your concerns in a meeting with your supervisor, offering constructive suggestions-The creation of a team or office-wide noisy management policy can often be quite effective and helpful. However, be careful to avoid using the meeting to vent about your coworkers, as this is not the right forum for this and it may cost you some credibility. Remember: you're concerned for the team and attempting to make the work environment more productive and comfortable for all. Complaining can make the situation sound like a personal problem.

Share your concerns with the noisy coworker-This can be difficult, and should obviously be well-thought-out.Ask to speak with the noisy coworker in private, and be direct. Don't hint, but be tactful. After all, you do have to work with this person! Above all, avoid the "backdoor approach" of making sarcastic comments in front of other team members. Such a passive-aggressive approach generally only offends noisy coworkers and in the end is rarely effective.

Above all, don't just sit there and grit your teeth. There's more to the "tools of the trade" than just a computer and a telephone. Your environment and workspace are part of the equation. Addressing open office speech privacy concerns early can save you a lot of stress!