Anyone have/had it chronically or occassionally?  How do/did you experience it and do you have any coping advice?

I have chronic tinnitus.  I don't have any real coping suggestions other than to always have other sound around so that you don't obsess on it.  I tend to always have a radio on for background noise.

As an aside, I find that ibruprofin makes it worse, so limiting the use of it helps a bit.

Thanks bikerbraid.  I don't use Ibruprofin but they warn against other painkillers over here.  I rarely use painkillers anyway.  I've stopped drinking coffee and only drink tea early in the day.  I won't stop drinking green tea but I'm drinking chamomille and fruit teas instead of coffee.  I'm going to try to call the ear doctor today, again, again.  I keep getting their recorded message with consultation times, busy signal or their fax tone! :o  Just what my tinnitus DOESN'T need!

I've been doing the same as you.  It works for now.