Retracted eardrum + Tinnitus. Infection?

I am suffering from tinnitus since last 9-10 months. First doctor whom i consulted said my left ear looks a little dull, gave decongestant didn't work out. Then another ENT marked it as RTM(said it looks little retracted). Since them I consulted vrious docs and being prescribed multivitamins, ginko etc. I have few questions. 1. Can RTM last almost a year? 2. If yes, can it cause ear ache, i mean when i put earbuds(not harshly, just to touch the canal gently) i feel a tickling pain inside). 3. When i do valsalva at morning little bit waterish i feel inside ear(this happens only d first time when i wake up and do vasalva). 4. Apart from eating so many medicines, what are the other alternatives to cure this? 5. I can hardly sleep as this tinnitus bothers me so much(sounds like when older tvs are started, that kind of sound 24x7(fluctuating like a stream). 6. Can I put warm oil inside my ear? 7. Is it because of infection? Plz help me wd these points! I get so much of tensn bc of dis :/