Whenever I get ear infections, I usually just let them run their course and grit through the pain (unless I find it is something serious). When I drip medicine in my ear, then it just hurts AND clogs it with gooey liquid that I can't get out later. I'm not someone who usually just forfeits medicine altogether, but putting stuff in my ear is gross, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful. I'd rather just go with pain than all three.