I spent the vast majority of my pool life more comfortable in LOUD bar-type places than the ones where it's so quiet you can hear bottles being set down on a hard table,shoes squeaking,etc. My hearing sensitivity tends to go up in competitive settings,so the background distractions stick out more.
It wasn't until a few years ago that I found myself with an MP3 player AND ear buds I like well enough to use regularly,but I find myself truly enjoying it more than just hearing whatever is on the jukebox,or stuff in the background.
That being said,I don't use them in the bar I typically play at.
My opponent using them has never once affected me,and can't remember ever having an issue with constant texts or people staying on the phone either. Shit happens,people need to communicate at times,now constant chatter and stuff like that is a different matter.
I've never even tried using them in a high level tournament,and therefore haven't been told I can't use them either.
No issues with communication either,if I need to talk to my opponent and they are wearing them,a simple tap on the shoulder in between shots like they do with Shane when he has his hearing aids turned off should suffice.
If I have any issue with something my opponent does,it's the ones that wear them with the cord hanging out in the front where it gets in the way of their stroke,or it gets hung up on the corner castings,and wonder why they don't copy what I do.
I run the cord down my back AND under my shirt so I can put my phone in my right front pocket,not impossible to snag somewhere on a bar table but very difficult to get hung up.
On the other hand,a phone or mp3 player that isn't working 100% can be a distraction itself. I had to figure out a way to keep my Google Assistant from activating itself in my pocket because the touch screen activated,and have had issues at times with cords and headphone jacks that had to be adjusted to work right.
That can be aggravating when you are in rhythm and have to stop,pull it out,make the adjustment,and then get back to the shot. Tommy D.