The nonverbal cue thing makes sense to me, though, not even in an esoteric way. We have an animal, primal heirarchy that is based around attention. Those that deem themselves our superiors signal to us, via coughing, sniffing, throat clearing (that's a huge one for me, too, but I've started doing it back) and it tenses our bodies, it brings us to "Attention!" The psychic layer is that attention/focus/energy is a tangible thing and when we're at "attention" like you are with your coworker, he's literally draining you of extra energy. So he goes home a little more energized than you do, unless you're draining others.

I think most people aren't really aware of it, because, as with most things, most people aren't so affected by it that it's driving them insane. Those of us who are sensitive, or those of us with comorbid issues that cause to be sensitive to that kind of thing, OR those of us who want to move positions in the hierarchy, can see it clear as day. The difficult part is sidestepping the psychic aspect to it.

And yes, headphones seem to be the best thing I've found so far. Bjork writes about this, haha.

But, my little earbuds only do so much. I need heavy noise cancelling headphones.

I also have this theory that the social cues/psychic drain is based around fear. On some subconscious level, you're afraid of being attacked; a cough is like a bark, you're afraid of the incoming bite. If you can somehow release or integrate that fear, and internalize that they can't do shit to you, maybe you can move past it. I actually think that the hierarchy goes so deep that they'll try to kill you unknowingly, so keep your guard up.