2 months into my tinnitus and I would rate mine as a 8-9. I have to mask it during the day with white noise otherwise it drives me crazy. I can hear it all the time . The only time I don't hear it is while in the shower or while out riding my bike. I use meds to sleep so I don't seem to have issues sleeping but I do play white noise in the background while sleeping because it is recommended for habituation.