I have had ringing in my ears (both) since 1998. it is really annoying. what can i do to get the ringing to stop. are there any free remedies?

This : This sounds alot like tinnitus. This can be caused from a history of loud noise, exposure to particularly toxic medication or medication or with normal aging. The ringing is usually worse in quiet enviroments and better in rooms with a little noise. There is no medication that will make this go away. However there is a little trick which often helps, especially at night. Leave a fan on, or turn your radio on music or white noise real low volume. The noise is usually just enough to be louder than the ringing sound. Your brain will learn to ignore this other more familiar noise, you will sleep better. Best wishes.

This : This is a difficult answer. There really isn't any specific medicine for tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. You should evaluate what medicines you are taking - sometimes, certain medicines can aggravate this condition. If the tinnitus is affecting your hearing, you could consider seeing an audiologist for possible hearing aids. These can help decrease the symptoms. For the most part though, tinnitus tends to be a chronic condition. Good luck.