Not only is the high pitched ringing more noticeable in the quiet, my ear makes these crazy laser like noises in rapid succession.  Kind of like the x-wing/tie fighter batter at the end of Return of the Jedi, except at 2x speed. He says while he inches up his glasses to his forehead…

Wall of white noise Star wars space wars Like constant X-Wing lasers And the high pitched hum of a television set Ringing an A flat