It's the damage that either internal causes ( like certain medications ) or external causes ( like Concerts, other high level and high frequency noises ..that God never intended for the Human Ear to tolerate ) that you've exposed your Ears too.
It's the SCARS on your Ear Nerve, that you will now have to work your Entire Life to not aggravate ( if you want some level of Relief at least ) while your Ear Nerve heals. And unfortunately Nerves heal Very Slowly.
It's the deterioration of your Ear Nerve, similar to Type II diabetics have deteriorated their cells/ chemistry ....And your Body ( in this case your Ear Nerve ) is no longer ' like new '.
Pray that your body will heal itself.
I was scared as HELL when i thought it was the inner ear hair cells damaged thing too.
I honestly don't believe that now. Because my Ears are Quiet these days. They only Ring i get is when i eat Foods with MSG ( like a Jack N the Box Chicken Sandwich ) ..and don't exercise and swim almost daily.
Then i can hear all the Scars on my Ear Nerve again ( to a lessor extent of course
I live a life pretty much free from Speakers. Except for a little iPod and headphones. I use my cell phone on speaker phone and keep it away from my head / ears.
It's kinda of a crazy thought, to think that i probably never will go in a Movie Theatre again. Or to a Concert. Or to a Bar, with loud music. ..........Or what RREEEEEEALLLY has me pissed, to a Gentlemen's Club that has Pro Audo equipment/ speakers playing. ( there's still quiet massage parlors )