Millions of Americans are dealing with tinnitus, phantom sounds that can cause very real distress.

The rest of us can’t hear it, but to people who have it, tinnitus can sound like ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking, roaring or humming. It’s the perception of sound in someone’s head that doesn’t come from an external source, Dr. Maura Cosetti, director of the Ear Institute of New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, tells TODAY.com.

Often called an “invisible” symptom, tinnitus can range from completely blocking the sounds in a person’s environment or being so quiet it’s barely noticeable, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It can also come and go, or be constant, according to Harvard Medical School. The condition has been linked to mental health conditions including depression and anxiety, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Although there’s no cure for tinnitus, there are ways to manage it, Cosetti explains.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is an audiological and neurological condition that causes a person to hear sound that has no external source, according to the American Tinnitus Association. The condition can be either temporary, meaning it resolves on its own, or chronic (recurring).

While tinnitus is most common older adults, it can happen to anyone, according to Mayo Clinic.

Tinnitus is often “the brain’s response to some change in your ear,” Cosetti explains.

What Causes Tinnitus?

A range of health conditions and situations can cause tinnitus. These include hearing loss, exposure to loud noises, tumors, wax buildup, abnormal thyroid function, allergies and autoimmune conditions. Research has also linked tinnitus to migraine, mental illness, hormonal fluctuation, stress and COVID.

Tinnitus can occur following head or neck injuries, ear infections, and the use of certain medications, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Sometimes tinnitus is idiopathic, says Cosetti, meaning it seemingly comes out of nowhere, and researchers are still working to understand why.

The Best Natural Treatments for Tinnitus

Tinnitus isn’t an illness or a disease with a cure. “Tinnitus is actually a symptom” resulting from something else, Cosetti says. “If you’re having tinnitus … in a persistent fashion, it’s really important to see a doctor,” she adds.

A health care provider can investigate the reason for your tinnitus and, depending on the cause, recommend a treatment. For example, if it’s caused by congestion from allergies, an over-the-counter decongestant or nasal saline can help.

Here are some other ways to treat tinnitus at home.

Sound Therapy

To counter the whistling, ringing or swooshing sounds, give your brain something else to listen to. “Anyone who’s having tinnitus in general, we really don’t recommend a quiet environment,” Cosetti says.

Instead, turn on a white noise machine, listen to the sounds of static on the radio or turn on a powerful fan. Doing so has two benefits: “It’s both drowning (the tinnitus) out and also changing that feedback loop and your concentration,” Cosetti explains.

Reduce Stress Levels

Since stress has been linked to tinnitus, Cosetti recommends meditating or exercising if you experience tinnitus.

Keep Your Ears Clean

While a Q-tip might be tempting, Cosetti recommends breaking down earwax buildup with oil on a paper towel or your finger, or using over-the-counter earwax removal kits.

Sleep

Going to sleep will give you a break from the tinnitus sounds, but sometimes the quiet before bedtime time or a nap can trigger tinnitus itself. So, Cosetti recommends finding a background noise “you can tolerate that will allow you to go to sleep.”

Other Ways to Manage Tinnitus

In addition to seeking medical treatment for any recurring tinnitus, Cosetti recommends taking precautions to protect yourself from ear trauma.

For example, bring earplugs when you leave the house in case you find yourself in a loud environment, and give yourself at least a 24-48 hour break from noises after attending a loud event. If you are congested and have to fly, consult a health care provider first as this can trigger tinnitus, Cosetti advises.

You can also take a hearing loss test online if you notice tinnitus pop up out of nowhere to see if it may be contributing. And you should also consider whether any new medications or supplements may be the cause of any new, unexplained tinnitus.

An overall healthy lifestyle is one of the best defenses against and treatments for tinnitus, Cosetti says.