Anyone else in my shoes? Ears going.........

I just turned 50 and have slight high frequency hearing loss in one ear. I also have a never ending extremely high pitched squeal (tinnitus) in both ears that is louder in the one with some hearing loss. I have suffered from earaches my entire life. Even with these issues I can enjoy my system and hear the differences when swapping cables and equipment. I can tell a good accurate speaker from muddy ones or those that roll off. I agree with Raks - Enjoy the music!

My tinnitus is most evident when it is quietest. At my desk in my office it is as loud as my PC fans or the sound of air blowing from the central air conditioner. At night it can be quite raucous. It is completely unnoticeable when I am listening to my stereo, a good movie on my home theater system or am out and active in public. I can understand it being a response to noisy environments. Tinnitus is very similar to the ringing I experienced as a teenager after attending a rock concert or after some time at a private outdoor gun range without ear protection. I take much better care of my ears than I used to… I want them to last, now more than ever.