Tinnitus is one of those near horrors I cannot imagine. Any ringing in my ears freaks me out.
A very interesting article from GQ that appeared over a decade ago crazily documents the results of extreme tinnitus and it's aftermath that happened to a friend/coworker/cohort of my wife. Worth a read despite the convolutions of the text.
the article is linked within a website about him.
GQ - BoltFlash!
This American Life - act three, click listen and fast forward.