The links below briefly describe a software product that screens out the sounds of conversations in nearby cubicles so that you can focus on your work without being distracted. The product is called ChatterBlocker and it costs only 19.95 USD. Employing a "soothing blend of nature sounds, music and background chatter", ChatterBlocker blows away the intelligibility of nearby conversations without merely substituting one source of distraction with another. It has versions that run on both Mac and Windows operating systems, and is reputedly less distracting than listening to music in your cube, "especially music with lyrics". The product offers a selection of sound tracks, including some especially designed for "meditation". Users can mix the sound tracks themselves to find the best ambient sound, and even incorporate sounds of their own to produce a wholly customized result.

(Methinks any product that scrambles nearby conversations would be applauded by managers as well, as it would provide greater security to conversations that should really be kept confidential. It would also help prevent employees and colleagues from eavesdropping on conversations about them, or which they might misinterpret as being about them, thus reducing conflict in the workplace.)

"ChatterBlocker curbs confusion caused by chatty co-workers" from iTWire (Australia)
"ChatterBlocker blocks unwanted conversations" from Macworld