Stop Ringing Ears

I’ve suffered from tinnitus since May 11, 1996. I’ve had to accept the fact that these awful noises will never go away for the rest of my life, but what I can’t accept is the (sometimes intense) soreness, tingling, etc., in my ears as well as slight pains in my jaws and headaches which have all cropped up in recent years. Aspirin, Tylenol, etc., have little or no effect. Obviously tinnitus is not self-correcting which is why I haven’t noticed any improvement since I swore off headphones and loud music a couple of years ago (all of you I-Pod users out there, be warned).

A bit of background: I’m a 32 year-old male in excellent physical health with no history of head trauma or infectious disease (e.g. Meniere’s); my tinnitus was caused entirely by use of headphones. Amazingly, an ENT has tested me and told me that my hearing is still perfect despite the tinnitus. And, I don’t have any other tinnitus-related symptoms such as insomnia or vertigo.

Any suggestions?

I've suffered from tinnitus for more than ten years now, but in the last few years symptoms have really started to take a turn for the worse and now the condition has become quite painful physically. I experience constant earaches, headaches, soreness/tingling, and occasional vertigo (though no insomnia). Anyone know of any alternative remedies (e.g. acupuncture, herbal medicines, etc.,) that may help?
Let me elaborate a bit….I know what caused my tinnitus: it was my years and years of constant headphone use (something which has made me feel like a bit of a spokesperson for people who use I-pods).

There's no question about that because I've never had any tumors and I don't suffer Meniere's Disease.

I think the original symptoms (while somewhat alarming) didn't really bother me. Only since the physical pain started has this really started to make life difficult.