Hi, Labyrinth,
I have been having tinnitus for a long time, but it is not related to POIS. My tinnitus have been cause by my many years of playing the drums :-) Prolonged exposition to very loud noise is a common cause of tinnitus. The most damaged have been done in my teenage years - I was practicing and playing without any earplugs, for hours. Back then, security and health were not talked about like today.
I couldn't play in a band anymore without aggravating my tinnitus even more, so I stopped. Electronic drums could have been an alternative, but they are not very exciting to play with, especially the cymbals. Now I play the djembe, a big African tam-tam. I can play outdoor in the summer, with friends, and it is far less loud than a drum kit And of course, I always wear earplugs.
I wish I would have prevented my tinnitus, it is not the best for meditation in silence, which I practice daily. But I have managed not to listen to them anymore.
For years, now, I always carry a pair of earplugs in my wallet. So, if I end up without notice in a noisy place, like a bar or a reception with loud music, I can protect my ears, and won't have one week of worsened tinnitus because of 30 minutes to 1 hour in a noisy environment.
Of course, fatigue worsens tinnitus, so POIS can worsen it a bit, but in my personal POIS presentation, tinnitus is not my main concern - fatigue, anxiety, irritability, and the like, are far more detrimental to my quality of life during POIS acute phase.
Poll