[jly]

I think there is absolutely something to this. I have mild tinnitus and my hearing is fairly poor after too many years of loud headphone use. However, I rarely notice a bothersome perception of noise unless I focus on it.

Other similar phenomenon exist. For example, some people are strongly bothered by floaters in the eyes while others seem to take it more easily in stride, as the brain will naturally compensate the vision. It wouldn't surprise me at all if individual tolerance varies wildly to these issues.

[ymolodtsov]

Well, having both tinnitus and floaters in both eyes is certainly not a great experience. Sometimes I just hope my nose won’t start smelling bacon all the time.