[gsxrken]

At "only" 50, I have enough tinnitus ringing that I got checked, and I do have hearing loss in a certain bandwidth that the doctor said would qualify for hearing aids if I wanted them. Above and below that frequency my hearing was slightly better than average.
I CAN'T STAND a loud TV and religioulsy hit the mute button at every commercial break. The cacophony shuts down my ability to think. A loud, unexpected noise startles the crap out me... always has. I use a white noise fan at night to drown out the tinnitus whistling.
It sucks- I know I was more careful than others around loud noises, but "hear we are". Doctor said a major cause of hearing loss can simply be hereditary.