Ok guys, I can't emphasise enough that Tinnitus and hearing damage are not necessarily linked. It is however, always worth getting your ears checked out by a professional. Equally Tinnitus is not the start of a decline in your hearing, nor is tinnitus a sound that will make you deaf. If you dont look after your ears then noise damage will reduce your hearing and the perception of your tinnitus will seem louder. If you're experiencing tinnitus there are steps you can take to stop damage to your ears making tinnitus appear worse. Invest in a pair of professional musicians earplugs - expensive at £147 but you won't regret it later on in life, especially in your 40's come those bi annual medicals.
A good way to look at tinnitus: a universal phenomenon that we all experience. Its like someone pointing out a spot on your face that you didnt know was there. It hasnt concerned you that its there because you didnt know it was, but you become conscious of it and uncomfortable with it because its been pointed out to you; you then focus on it. Its the same with tinnitus, except the trigger is something happening in your life that adversely affects your body and as a consequence brings on tinnitus.
Tinnitus WILL NOT lead to deafness. GP's are very ill informed about this condition. Dont live with it, deal with it. There are many things that can be done - retraining therapy, the method by which you learn to 'unhear' the noise to name but one.
On a final note, someone earlier mentioned stress in relation to tinnitus. Stress exasberates tinnitus like nothing else. Deal with stress, then deal with tinnitus. You'll probablly find that having dealt with that the tinnitus is not bothersome anymore anyway.
Ive done lots of research into this and have spoken to lots professionals about it. Im really happy to offer anyone my meagre knowledge or advice on this matter, just post
or e-mail!
Keep active but learn to relax as well!