I may wear them depending on the situation:
I "always" ask my challenger if they mind. If they say yes, I do not wear them.
I play same speed with or without them. But, if my challenger starts talking to me while I'm stroking at balls I either call them on it or pull the ear phones out. One is no more disrespectful than the other.
It's bad enough to "have" to deal with some dip chit moving....i.e. scratching his nose, fiddling with phone, cue....etc...etc...only when in line with my shot-line. Do I really "have" to "hear" his BS too?
I'm as old fashioned as anyone on here, guarantee that. But, like most old fashion folks, I will only take so much BS.
Bottom line:
Nothing I like more than a respectful game of 1-hole, str8 pool, 10 ball......etc..etc... where BOTH players are comfortable and can give their best effort. But when one of them starts making sharking moves.........moving, talking....etc.... in ways that are obvious to everyone around them, well, IMO it is ok at that point to pull out ear phones so you can at least combat part of their childish antics.
Rake