When you go to the ENT, make sure he or she gives you a hearing test after looking inside your ears/sinus cavity. Hopefully, the ringing will go away as quickly as it started. However, know that it is not the end of the world since your boyfriend has it also. Good luck!
This might explain why for some people it goes away and for others it doesn't. From what I can tell for the vast majority of people it doesn't stick. Most panic attacks/severe stress result in temporary tinnitus so I would go with the hearing damage is also needed for tinnitus idea. Can't know for sure unless a study is done on it.
Keep in mind it may take 2-3 months or more to fully go away, especially if you're off all medications. Don't panic or stop medication abruptly unless absolutely necessary.
Think of tinnitus as a neurological response to a sudden loss of hearing, the parts of the brain associated with hearing become extremely hyperactive in response to sudden hearing damage, but once hearing is restored it should go away. It will still take some time for the brain to undo plasticity changes associated with tinnitus.
I had wax in my left ear for some time that caused some muffled hearing loss. The ENT removed wax on the ear drum and I'm still getting tinnitus - 3 days later. Does anyone know how long it takes for the tinnitus to go away? ENT conducted hearing test and showed no hearing loss after wax cleared.
When the external sound ends, I get a second of silence before the buzzing returns. After showers: The tinnitus stays away for several minutes after a shower. Plugging my ears also stops it. Air travel makes it go away for a few hours or even days. Triggers: It started due to stress and postpartum anxiety, along with visual snow.