[wintertime]

It appears that many of you are confusing middle ear infections with outer canal infections.

The outer chamber is reachable by Q-tips.

The middle ear infection occurs behind the ear drum in the middle chamber where the three bones (stamen, stapes, and anvil) ( sorry sp.) lay that conduct the sound to the inner chamber (the choclea). The Eustachian tube enters the middle ear and connects the middle chamber to the throat. When we swallow we automatically adjust the pressure in the middle ear to match the pressure of the atmosphere. If an infection occurs here, the ear drums can rupture.

I have had many, many outer ear infections. They are incredibly painful, more than anything I have ever suffered. I learn that by washing the ear with a mild solution of vinegar that I can prevent outer ear infections and have only one since my 20s. ( The Listerine ideas sounds good to me and would likely work)

I have had one bout of middle ear infection. Both ears ruptured and it too was very unpleasant.

[neverdem]

It appears that many of you are confusing middle ear infections with outer canal infections.

Many have made comments describing otitis externa on this thread so far, but why did you direct your comment to me?