Hello,
I saw Velvet Revolver in concert on saturday evening, and there's still a ringing in my ears. It doesn't disrupt my attention unless t here's silence. I don't hear the ringing when I'm listening to something else. It hasn't affected my hearing, it's still good. BUt my ears feel sensitive now and there's that ringing...

Is this a serious problem? I was up close at the show, but I know other people were too...I only see like one concert a year, so this couldn't be a problem right?

Wrong. There has at least been temporary damage to your ears. If you are lucky it will go away in a few days. The more you do this the more chance of permanent damage. When I was younger, the same thing would happen to me. Luckily I am still hearing good at my age, but if I were you I would do my best not to expose myself to those loud concerts. That is a warning, heed it. You don't want to be sorry later in life for something you could have prevented.

You really should protect your ears at a gig - you may have noticed all the security staff wearing ear-defenders, really we all should.

I spent the 80's going to rock concerts (Black Sabbath, Bon Jovi, ACDC..the list is endless!) and my Dad frequently tutted and shook his head saying I would regret it when I was older and guess what!

I think because it wears off after a few days we think we're invincible and it will be ok...but there comes a time when it doesn't go away and that tinnitus is there for good....

Even if you only go once a year you should protect your ears - you really miss them when they don't work properly.

Sorry to sound like the voice of doom but it's true!

Caz

The sound I'm hearing (and I only hear it when there's silence around me) sounds like the sound of when you turn on the TV muted. You know, that really really high-pitched sound that a CRT makes when it runs.

Is this what it sounds like? Is this a normal thing to hear? is this tinnitus? I need to know.

Thank you again.

I've had it for years and mine is a really high pitched ringing in both ears constantly. As you say it is more noticeable when there is no background noise. There's a recent thread on it which you might find useful.
Many people who have had it for a long time learn to live with it and try to keep some background noise going - like having the radio on etc.

There is a good chance that yours will go in a few days if it was caused by the concert but if it doesn't it's worth seeing your doc just to get it checked out in case something else is causing it.

Good luck!
Caz