Anyone else in my shoes? Ears going.........

My tinnitus is most evident when it is quietest. At my desk in my office it is as loud as my PC fans or the sound of air blowing from the central air conditioner. At night it can be quite raucous. It is completely unnoticeable when I am listening to my stereo, a good movie on my home theater system or am out and active in public. I can understand it being a response to noisy environments. Tinnitus is very similar to the ringing I experienced as a teenager after attending a rock concert or after some time at a private outdoor gun range without ear protection. I take much better care of my ears than I used to… I want them to last, now more than ever.

I have always had the tiniest ringing in the ears when things are extremely quiet
(the woods, the lake on a perfectly still winter morning) - even as a child - to
me this IS the sound of complete silence. It does not change the fact that I can
still hear better than most adults although my nine year old seems to be able to
hear what I do. When I say do you hear that (a quiet sound) - the wife usually
says What? and confirms she can't hear it even after trying. but the daughter
chimes in and says, "Really Mummy, can't you hear it too?"

I guess it is a matter of degree but I suspect we all have Tinnitus to a
degree....my only point is that it does not affect hearing accuity.

There are clinics with audiologists who specialize in tinnitus treatment. My wife has suffered with tinnitus for over a year. She uses an ipod-like device that trains the brain to ignore that sound. She has found significant relief.

Sadly, yes. I'm only 36. I've tried to wear earplugs whenever possible when playing drums, etc..., but my right ear isn't what it used to be. Thankfully it's not really a ringing problem. Sounds more like it hasn't "popped" after an altitude change. Some days are better than others.