Reply to In-Ear Monitors; Early Stage of Tinnitus

So I'm looking for methods of reducing hearing damage while DJ'ing.

I am DJ'ing three evening s a week in a club with a less than optimally set up Soundsystem. It is extremely loud and it's in very close quarters. I realized when looking at the external mixer's multimeter the other day that it has been WAY LOUDER in there lately than it ever has been prior, and that's because I've been turning it up because I don't believe it's loud enough.

I've had a few REALLY loud evening s lately. I opened for the Bingo Players in a club that was also WAY TOO LOUD, and then went to my residency just afterwards. My ears were ringing all day the next day.

This is starting to concern me. I'm considering investing in a pair of in ear monitors with a limiter built in (to prevent any dangers they may hold).

I'm only 20, so it's particularly concerning. I just ordered a MultiMeter off Amazon and have read all of the DJTT articles on the topic. I THINK I'm starting to hear a high pitched shriek in the background, but it could just be me going crazy.

Do you guys know of any way of reducing any present dangers to hearing when DJ'ing? Do you have any stories about Tinnitus?