Thank you for your posts.

Msl,
I know that TMJ can cause tinnitus but, I don't have that and, no, the Doctor did not do an MRI on my brain.
An MRI is an expensive procedure and MRI machines are not plentiful around here so, a hearing/understanding problem is not serious enough to warrant an MRI. Since the ear tests didn't show any problems with my ears, I assume that the problem originates in the brain as you mention in your 12:30 reply yesterday.
I have read the article from the Mayo Clinic, thanks for the link, and others on tinnitus and don't believe that my problem with understanding is caused by tinnitus. The tinnitus I can live with most of the time but, the inability to understand what people say is a real problem and removes, as RSD does already, another dimension from my social life.

Allen,
I had 2 test done on my ears; can't remember the names. They involved a pressure test and a test with different sounds at different volumes while measuring the nerve conduction time. Nothing was said about Menieres.
Sleeping on my right side could possibly be a solution but, I can't lie on my right side; too painful.

Pete,
I do have some strange things happening. My peripheral vision picks up sudden quick movement but, when I turn and look, nothing's there. Strange odours and, not so severe and not so often now, explosions in my head.
Those explosions are loud enough and strong enough to make my head jump off the pillow yet, there is no sound.
I also have short periods, when I sing, when I seem to black out. Can't read the words on the sheet music and can't remember even when I know the lyrics. Same with conversation; can't think of even the simplest words or remember the name of a person I have known for years.
Fortunately I am well past embarrassment and simply tell the truth with a laugh; "I can't remember your name."

Like so many other things that RSD has changed in my life, I will just have to live with this problem.

Thank you all for your input and have a day of peace and joy.

woodsman