I've had it for about 5 years. Both ears, sometimes one ear worse than the other. I find it hard to tell whether it comes or goes or whether I just sometimes notice it more. If I think about it, like now - reading this thread, it becomes very noticeable. Other times, I can spend hours unaware of it. I very quickly resigned myself to the fact that it will probably never go away, although apparently in some people it does. Advice? Best thing to do is accept it, live with it, ignore it. Tell yourself at least your not living with something terminal, or chronic pain or something. It's just a noise which doesn't actually exist except inside your head. Don't pay any attention to those (usually American) "how I cured tinnitus websites". They are quackery. White noise, on the other hand, can help and you can download some online. Mine doesn't affect my balance though, so maybe your Doc could help with that - though my experience is that they aren't very helpful.