Tinnitus anyone?

I have constant ringing in both ears from eight years as a Navy pilot. The Navy checks hearing in flight crews during the annual flight physical. The high pitched whine of the turbine engines powering the aircraft has effects on hearing and eventually leads to tinnitus. I wore hearing protection all time on the flight line and while flying but it took it's toll. Some days are worse than others, but it is there all of the time. It doesn't seem to effect my ability to critically listen to and enjoy music. I have been asked by friends to listen to their systems for evaluations and I have confirmed thier determinations or detected other things. I am curious. Several of you indicated that caffiene has an affect. Does a reduction in caffiene intake help or as in my case the damage has been done?

Caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, quinine/tonic water, fatty foods and high sodium intake are all known to aggravate tinnitus.

there are some others as well in the class called "neutropics/ cognitive enhancers"...do some research on the net and you will find info

I have tinnitis in one ear, despite all I did to protect myself through the years. I always plugged my ears when around live music, went to one rock concert in my life, never was around loud noises. The only possibility I can think of, is that I am a piano player, & occasionally an inebriated patron will stand next to me at the piano & start "scream-singing". And maybe once or twice in my life, someone has screamed into my ear. For some time, I thought my tinnitus was due to medication I was taking; however, after stopping the medication, the tinnitus remained. It is amazing how delicate the auditory system really is. Yet, there are many who seem to abuse it, and are relatively unscathed. Life is unfair!!!