i have had tinnitus in a very mild way for a number of years but it was not a problem and hardly noticable. Then about a year ago, after being exposed to some very loud noise it got worse. I've often wondered if being T2 could make you more succeptible to tinnitus or being hypothyroid, as I was diagnosed with that last year.
I have tinnitus, I blame the start of it on going to too many disco's as a teenager and a lot of concerts in the last ten years. It did become worse when I was on Amitriptyline and hasn't got better since I came off that. It doesn't bother me during the day, but it does as I am going to sleep - but I just put the TV on timer and a boring programme.
The best thing I have bought to stop it getting any worse when I go to concerts are a pair of musician's earplugs which cost about £8 from ebay and lower the sound level by about 10 decibels.
Once had tinnitus for about 3 months and it was awful! When the oldest was just a baby he shriek in my left ear which left me with this ringing noise both night and day, my gp said it would go in time and sure enough it did, same thing happened around 5 years ago when I was at a footie match and some clown shouted out loud behind me. :x
It's a nasty condition and anyone who has this long-term have my deepest sympathy!