Last night, the ear noises actually abated for the first time in a few weeks, which is making me cautiously optimistic for recovery. Also, I can hear conductively really well, so the hearing apparatus seems to be doing OK (your head makes a LOT of wild noises when you drink water!), so now I need to get these holes closed up. The pain is almost totally gone, thank GOD because I am a total wuss about such things. Glad to know you're reading!