I am not sure when I first noticed I had tinnitus; I think it was in my early 40's. I have it in both ears, and at times it is quite loud, but at least I am fortunate it has not made me sick. Sometime early in 2011 my wife was watching Dr Oz, and as a segment on tinnitus began they played a sound bite of the ringing. My wife asked me if that is what it sounded like...... and I could not hear it, or it was masked by the ringing in my ears.