I've just started suffering from this after a night in a very loud club
called Wild Child, SE1 (be warned anyone reading this!). I was stupid
to stay there, but we all make mistakes. I'm now on a crusade to bring
the volume down in these places. Have emailed the organisers and they
didn't even get back to me.

I also find the thought of it being permanent rather scary, but all you
can do is remain optimistic. I read somewhere that they think stem cell
research will have developed considerably in 10 years to the point that
it may be possible to cure conditions such as ours, so there's some
hope. Also, it seems some peoples ringing tends to fade away.

My top tip would be to try and distract yourself everytime you start
thinking too deeply about it. Think how lucky you are in other ways,
and think of it as a polite warning to say look after yourself (in my
case anyway).

Good luck everyone, I'm certain technology will advance considerably.
One other thing - I wouldn't rule out Chinese medicine either. I've
never tried it myself, but I do know someone who had chronic stomach
pains that no western medicine helps. She went to see a Chinese
therapist, and was given some pills which completely stopped the pain,
so if you're desperate, don't rule it out, you never know.