With a middle ear infection try to keep any eye out for any relaps, if you find him not hearing what your saying or If he has the t.v up loud ask him if his ears hurt and get him seen!  My 4 year old won't tell me when his ears hurt any more, I have to look out for the  signs we are now on a 12 month waiting list to get his Adenoids& Tonsils out and Grommets in as his ear infections turned into "Glue Ear" where the fluid in his middle ear can't drain out and every time he gets a cold it flairs up his ears and ends up back on anitbiotices. I wouldn't wish this on anyone so please see the signs in your son. I have found tho that there are some natural thing you can do to help releave his discomfort. You can slice a onion in half, grill it till it's just starting to cook, wrap it in a clean dish cloth and hold it to you sons ear, i don't know why but it releaves the pain and is meant to draw out the infection, also you could try rock salt, about 1/4 for a cup full in a tea towl, tie it of with string then heat it in the microwave for about 30 sec, then hold it to your sons ear, again this will help releave the pain. My son also has a head strap he wears when he goes swimming, it's made from the same stuff as a wetsuit and it just keep the water out of his ears a bit you can get them from most sports stores. Good luck and I hope your son is well soon.

i think an ear infection is generally in the middle ear whereas swimmers is is more the other side of the ear, the outer ear. so swimmers ear can be fixed with drops, inner ear can be fixed with antibiotics, don't quote me though.