On modern flights, you'll see a lot of people wearing noise-canceling headphones. It allows them to focus on the in-flight entertainment better, and also blocks out the sound from the world around them. That includes children.
We're hoping that this fatigued dad is just wearing the headphones for the purpose of taking a funny picture, because those kids might genuinely need his attention. They look forlorn! We have to salute his ingenuity though; everyone needs a break from the screaming occasionally.