Anyone with tinnitus or hearing loss who is into "high-end" audio?

This thread subject is one of most fascinating in a long time. Each post respectful and informative.

The last time I had my ears checked was in the 1970’s as a pilot in the RAAF. I suspect that my hearing has deteriorated over the decades, but fortunately gently and not noticeably (in my opinion). My wife bless her does accuse me of selective hearing, but I put it down to concentrating on something else!

Amg56, your wife was onto you. Due to a birth injury my late wife could only hear out of her right ear. Whenever she was mad, she would sit on the couch with her non-hearing left ear towards me. It was pretty obvious what was happening, even though she, like you, played it off. Your cute story gave me a fond memory. Thanks.

Mike

I completely lost hearing in the right ear 2 years ago (most likely virus). I went thru different treatments, that did nothing to my hearing but improved greatly my eyesight (not kidding). Life is funny, isn’t it? Loss of hearing brings white noise, since brain is trying to amplify electric signals. After many audio tests (-95dB) doctor concluded that cochlea is damaged and it won’t improve ever. Since then my hearing started to come back. It is now at about 10%. My coworker had similar case and it took 15 years to get back to about 20%. I could buy hearing aid, but I don’t wan’t to do anything now, that might jeopardize recovery, no matter how slow. My doctor (otto-neurology surgeon) said "We can drill, but I strongly advice against it, if you can manage without it". Having choice of drilling or not drilling in my scull, not drilling option sounds better to me.

Interesting about the vitamin D. I just started taking it for this COVID stuff. Maybe it will help my tinnitus.

Mine is like the old fly back transformer whine in tube TVs.  Don’t know if it affects my high end enjoyment. Which is just as well as I am a low end fiend.

Yes, very timely post.  A few months ago I noticed my soundstage was drifting to the left.  I messed around with speaker placement and the balance control on my preamp.  This seemed to help a bit.  I soon realized I had a pretty constant high pitched hiss in my right ear.  Like a million crickets a mile away.  Went to see my ENT and had a hearing test.  Turns out my hearing is just about the same as it was 10 years ago - in both ears.  A slight dip in the 4kHz region which I am told is very common for men my age. Very surprising as it seems to me my right ear is definitely diminished.  Thinking of getting a second opinion.  

I was taking ibuprofen regularly for a year or so which might have brought it on.  Decided it was a good idea to start playing basketball again at the age of 52.  Back and knees hurting all the time but I was having fun.  The shut-down put an end to the bball, have only taken Ibu twice in the last 2 months.  Unfortunately, it seems to be worsening anyway.  Even some hyperacusis to certain things like dishes clanking and my youngest girl's high pitched screams.  Stopped the loud listening sessions too (covid helped there as well with my girls home 24/7 now) but that hasn't helped either.  

It changes day to day, usually worse at night.  Realizing that stress/anxiety and lack of sleep probably exacerbates it.  Very busy stressful time at work right now.  It is at times, like the OP said, consuming/depressing and I catch myself obsessing about it.  Hopefully, some more time off of painkillers and it will diminish. 

Trying to ignore it as much as possible.  Tony Williams Lifetime sounding pretty darn good right now, crickets be damned!

Thanks for listening, be well.