<s>[INST] What is the difference between an ‘ear infection’ and ‘swimmers ear’? [/INST] An ear infection is what most people refer to otitis media or a middle ear infection as. This infection is behind the tympanic membrane (ear drum).  This inside the body, and the ear drum acts as a barrier between the middle and outer ear.

Swimmers ear (otitis externa) is an outer ear infection, when the ear canal gets infected (often caused by water staying in the ear canal after swimming/bathing, or trauma to the ear canal). This is an external infection and is usually treated by drops. Source: AFTER HOURS KIDS. Link: https://www.afterhourskids.com/blog/ear-infection-faqs. Field: Otolaryngology. Disease: Ear Infection </s>