[campbellcj]

Damn, now I feel really lucky to not have the tinnitus. I too had a perfed T.M. (eardrum) several years ago, due to a gnarly infection. Couldn't hear or swim for months and sleeping was difficult. However, the membrane healed eventually and I don't have any residual ringing or pain, but I do have pretty serious hearing attenuation at some frequencies in that (left) ear. I don't think the loud music and loud cars over the years have helped either... It is basically bad enough where it's a struggle to hear the TV or conversations at normal volumes if I plug the other ear -- which thankfully is still in very good shape.

Sorry, I know my post didn't help your situation one bit, but this is a topic I follow pretty closely (esp. as I am still around the loud music, loud cars, firing ranges, power tools, airports....)