text: what are some ways to make an ear ache less painful? i suffer from swimmers ear...anyone who has had it knows how much fun it is.  i have been on 2 different prescriptions now over 4 days and the pain is just getting worse.  what are some helpful tips (besides ibuprofen) to try at home to ease the pain while we try different medications? often a wam compress applied to the ear that hurts helps. i have read that putting a hair dryer on low and gently letting some warm air blow in the ear helps. warmth seems to revieve ear ache pain.