Yes, 50 million according to sources I ran across while researching. Who knew? I had never heard of tinnitus before two months ago.
Mine may be related to TMJ. At least I hope so (TMJ or some other temporary ailment that has tinnitus as a symptom). I don’t have jaw pain, but I have clicking in the jaw-joint when I move it around. I never had it before benzo W/D. Also, when I first stopped the Klonopin, I had weird cranial muscle spasms. I read that tinnitus can be cured by cranial osteopathy, so another hope I have is that it is caused by something out of alignment there. And with my nervous system still on the mend, there is a chance that it could go away with this recovery, as well.
But I am not taking any chances. I am learning to live with it. I have talked to several people who have it, and they deal with it. I guess I can, too. What I found most interesting is that, while some people commit suicide over it, most that have it are called “tinnitus listeners” rather than “tinnitus suffers.” As unbelievable as it sounds, most that have it aren’t bothered by it that much. I also heard that tinnitus is the reason that Vincent Van Gough cut his ear off, but that this didn’t fix it. Modernly, people have gone so far as to surgically sever the eighth nerve to the ear (causing complete deafness), but they have found that the sound continues in the brain. Very strange. I’ll go back to Xanax and live like a zombie before I go to any of these extremes, though. (Ironically, one highly successful, clinically confirmed treatment for tinnitus is Xanax!) I could then get a job as a cab driver or something.
My doc gave me vitamins that he says help with inner ear circulation. So, I’m taking those. I’ll do whatever. I read a good book about tinnitus, “Tinnitus, Turning Down The Volume,” by Kevin Hogan.
http://www.kevinhogan.com/FAQ.htm He is selling biofeedback (or some such) tapes, too; but the book was reasonable, and he claims to be an ex-sufferer.
Interesting about the opposite ear and shooting. I didn’t shoot the shotgun all that much, but I did love the loud music early on. I also take my handguns to the indoor range from time to time, but I always wear quality ear and eye protection. Thing is I don’t have any real hearing loss, so I am still hopeful it may go away. I read that, as with diving, sudden changes in altitude like those sometimes experienced while flying can cause barotrauma; and a symptom of barotrauma is tinnitus.
Good luck. If you know of any ways to make it better, let me know. I listen to CD’s of rain, ocean waves, or rolling thunderstorms when I sleep. This helps a lot. So, on bad days, I just look forward to getting to bed.