Actually......
I have experienced this. It doesn't happen to me often anymore, but it used to happen quite often when I was under 20 years old, and the loudness of the ringing could vary. It was basically just as Taylor described it, although I don't really remember loss of hearing when it happened, unless maybe when just the ringing seemed louder than surroundings. 
I just 'passed it off' like it was when you see 'spots' only to do with ears instead, some little quirk.
Unfortunately, I have no help to offer, other than having experienced similar thing. I did have my hearing tested by doctors when I was really young, and I'd have to ask my mother about it, but I know she said they found my hearing was a little bit messed up. My father went deaf in his left ear when he was around my current age and now seems to be losing hearing in his other ear, so there may be some hereditary loss of hearing in my family. Once again
Anyways, I'd be interested in any info this thread comes up with 
