they refused to pay attention: They ignored God's commands (see Jeremiah 11:10).
turned a stubborn shoulder: This phrase shows their proud stubbornness (see Nehemiah 9:29).
Putting their fingers in their ears shows they were fully responsible for their stubbornness (compare Isaiah 6:10). The same expression describes Pharaoh when he became stubborn ("hardened his heart") against God and refused to release the Hebrews (Exodus 8:32).