There's a good chance.  I just read that in another thread.  But in the
meantime, let's see what Dr. Murray Grossan (E.N.T)  has to say on the
subject:

Middle Ear Infection
Ear pain can come from the middle ear. This may be a regular middle ear
infection (otitis media.) Except for when the ear drum is bulging outward
severely, this type of infection is not especially painful. In children is
painful because pus builds up and bulges the ear drum. It may be caused by
blowing the nose too hard and forcing the nasal pus up the eustachian tube
into the middle ear cavity where the bacteria multiply. If there is heavy
phlegm or pus in the nose, using the pulsating sinus irrigator daily 5 days
before diving may prevent eustachian tube blockage.

Outer Ear Infection (External Otitis)
Ear pain, especially after several dives, is most commonly caused by an
irritation of the ear canal. The problem here is that once the canal starts
to swell, it is surrounded by bone and this acts like a pliers squeezing on
the sore ear canal. Generally pain here is 3x greater that the same swelling
on your hand or cheek. If the canal swells completely shut it is VERY
painful. Fortunately the severity of the pain doesn't mean it is more
serious, just that the swelling is in a tender sensitive area.
You can prevent outer ear pain by NEVER washing your ears with soap and
water. You need the wax in your ear to protect you from the ravages of
swimming and diving. Alcohol and peroxide both take away natural wax and
make one prone to outer ear infections. I advise my divers to always put
baby oil or olive oil in the ear canal before washing the hair and any
activity where soap or water can enter the canal. Because of the shape of
the ear canal, like a bent baby bottle, once the soap gets in there, you
cannot take it out and it just lays there and reduces wax and oil formation.

Treatment should be started at once. Do not put heat to the ear. The pain is
due to the swelling, so heat will cause it to swell more. Take an
antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine 4 milligrams (no prescription)4 times
a day. Proteolytic enzyme tablets are good for reducing swelling (Papaya
Enzyme) The doctor may elect to give an antibiotic. Ear drops such as
Cortispoin Otic Solution are good. If the canal is very painful and swollen
we generally put a wick or drain in. This allows the drainage to come out
and the medicine to go in. It is important to clear this type of condition
as quickly as possible because the longer the outer ear infection stays, the
more tendency to reoccur. Therefore you should stay out of the water until
clear. Once you have had this type of infection I advise my divers to take
an antihistamine the moment they feel this coming on. Do not take
antihistamine while diving. Any antihistamine can make you drowsy and add to
nitrogen narcosis -remember, every 33 feet is equal to one martini.

Now that's fuckin funny. See what I mean Bob? Don't force your humor.