I have had rather severe tinnitus for about 2-3 years now. It started in one ear (left), but now it can be either one- or two-sided, depending on "who knows what." Obviously, the one-sided, quieter "t" is easier to deal with.

I measured the frequency of my tinnitus (it's about 10.5 kHz, pure tone), and designed an audio file that creates a semi-random "rainlike" noise that is centered at the 10.5 kHz. Using a bluetooth headset (single or double-sided, depending on the nature of the tinnitus that day) and an iPod with a continuous loop of the sound, I can greatly reduce the discomfort by masking/mixing the sound from the tinnitus. I believe the "randomness" of the sound is preventing my brain from "locking in" on the tinnitus. 

Invariably (i.e., 100% of the time), the tinnitus is the worst when I wake up in the morning. I wear these "bedphones" and play my masking sound from a bedside iPad all night. Between the masking and drugs (Ativan and Hydroxyzine), I can often get a good night's sleep. The "t" may be super-quiet when I go to bed, but it's invariably *screaming* by 4-5 am. When I get up and do my morning routine, it invariably settles down a little bit, and sometimes even goes one-sided. That's a "good day."

All this is old news, and not the subject of the post.

What I have discovered lately is that EXERCISE fairly often (50-75% of the time) will make the "t" go from double-sided to single-sided, and usually less intense. It doesn't seem to matter what the exercise is. I first discovered it after playing tennis for an hour or two. More recently, the effect is there with even a mild workout, 10-15 minutes of cardio plus a half-hour or so doing strength training.

Now, this is a doubly-good thing! The exercise must surely be good for me (I'm 65 and retired, but still play singles tennis), AND it seems to minimize the tinnitus. I don't know what is causing it, though. At first I thought it was the "running around" of tennis, or getting my heart rate up so I break a sweat, but lately it's working with much lighter workouts not involving running or sweating. Perhaps the exercise is putting me in a certain mental state that doesn't focus on the tinnitus, but the effect usually lasts for the rest of the day, even if I only exercise for an hour in the morning.

Has anyone else noticed this?