Noise at cocktail parties

Does anyone have any suggestions/advice on how to handle the overstimulation/chaos in a cocktail party situation. I was at a party last night and found myself overwhelmed by the noise of multiple conversations and people competing to be heard ( LOUD ) I find that if I am having a conversation with one person I am simultaneously hearing all of the conversations in the room.  Hard to focus....especially if the conversation you are having is not interesting and you are hearing other more interesting conversations. I find that sometimes I am seeming not to be interested in the person I am talking to but it is extremely hard to stay focused with all that is happening around you in a party situation.  Any thoughts? Observations or suggestions? Others have this problem as well?  Curious to hear.