Can Temporary Tinnitus Become Permanent If the Cause of It Is Left Untreated?

[OrchestraInMyEar]

I'm a 22-year-old guy, I'm in good shape, I don't expose myself to loud noises or music ever, really. I occasionally turn up the volume a bit when a good song comes on but that's it.

Last Friday night, five days ago when I was about to go to bed, my right ear started ringing. I didn't think much of it, then on Saturday when I woke up, both my ears were ringing like crazy. Then on Sunday and until now, only my left ear is ringing, very loudly.

I've just recovered from what I believe was the flu, so I'm thinking my tinnitus is caused by an infection of some sort.
I went to see a doctor today and he seemed like he didn't know too much about tinnitus, but he booked me for another appointment with an ear specialist.

Thing is, they're very busy and it can take up to a month before I get to go there and have my ears and hearing examined.

So, If there is an infection or whatever, and my tinnitus is temporary, could it get worse and give me permanent tinnitus if I left it untreated for that long?

I'm extremely worried that it's permanent and is gonna cause hearing loss. It took me over two hours to fall asleep last night due to the loud ringing. I tried masking it with different sounds using my phone but it didn't really make a difference.

 

[Candy]

Did they see ear congestion? Fluid in the ears?

 

[OrchestraInMyEar]

Did they see ear congestion? Fluid in the ears?

He had a quick five-second look in my ears, no wax or fluids, but he did say some part in both my ears were swollen. I can't remember exactly what it was though.