Reply To: A Halachic problem you likely never thought of

It may be helpful to view the issur as pertaining to “listening” as opposed to “hearing.” Hearing can’t be prevented but listening can, by mental distraction. So, twenty years ago I parked a 2200-page encyclopedia of baseball statistics in that room, and since then, even away from home, I associate entering this place with studying the doings of Mickey and Ty and all the rest. It’s also useful in kol isha situations; it eliminates the need to go to prison, spit in people’s faces, yehareg, etc.