Jannebug,

I sympathize with you. It is so horrid when someone is deliberately unkind for NO good reason.

One thing I sometimes do to save my sanity is use the soft, foam earplugs. They block enough noise to keep my cool and let enough noise through that I don't miss phone calls or other important input.
The earplugs come in various levels - so you can get a little help or a lot.

I wish I had a way to help you stop the problem, but life is seldom so tidy and accomodating!

Leslie