i have had ringing in my ears now for about 3 weeks it is pretty bad but is only getting me down when i think it will interfere with my music playing.  i play in a band and we practise 3 times a week very loud (though not so loud now) and we have steadily been increaseing our shows to about 1 or two every two weeks.  i am pretty sure that this ringing is related to nosie exposure and i was just wondering if wearing ear plugs and head phones collectively blocking approx 60 db  will stop my tinnitus from getting any worse please respond with any info you have on this topic thank you so much

It will DEFINITELY help - start using plugs NOW to avoid further damage.

Maybe you'll get lucky and will find you haven't already caused permanent damage. Use earplugs religiously, and go get your hearing checked.

I have ringing in the ears which is prominent when all is quiet.
I found using ear protection defiitely helps reduce the after gig ringing frequency. I find i play better with earmuffs on at practice as the drums are cleaner and hearing tests show since iv'e been using them my ears have not deteriorated further.
I suggest (if you can) take a break from loud noise for a while and see if you have still ringing after a few days. If not, it is most likely temporary and no damage done, a bit like drinking too much.
However.
1/ you should have your ears checked regularly once a year to see if there is any pattern of deafness appearing.
2/ wear hearing protection from now on
3/stay in good health, why i say this is colds and other causes can result in ringing ears also (may not be the music). If you have symptons and are worried see your dodtor.

My audiologist said it works like this: Hair cells in your inner ear will kinda curl in when assaulted with loud sound thus cause a ringing. After a few days they unfold and the ringing stops or becomes less. Repeated blasts to the ear will cause the hairs to NOT unfold as much and can become damaged...now we are talking permanent Tennitus.

Here is some additional info on hair cells.
Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the inner ear: Without them, we cannot hear and we suffer balance problems. Microscopically, they look like they have hairs because of tiny structures, stereocilia, that are part of the cell.

Auditory hair cells are located in the organ of Corti of the cochlea, and they are involved in detecting sounds. These hair cells convert sound information into electrical signals that are then sent on to higher brain centers. Vestibular hair cells are located in the vestibular (balance) organs of the inner ear (utricle, saccule, ampullae), and they are involved in detecting changes in head position or movement.

Hair cells are just the first stage of auditory and balance sensation. They do not function alone, but must connect with nerve fibers that go from the inner ear to the brain. Damage to the hair cells can be caused by a number of agents, including loud sound, certain drugs (ototoxic drugs), disease, and processes associated with aging. In humans, hair cell damage results in permanent hearing impairments and/or balance disorders.