OP here.
Prior to my post some two years ago I had been driven demented with infected and itchy ears; burst ear drums were my norm. I could hardly hear anything. My TV sound was maxed out. Sometimes even with ear buds/headphones I could not hear a soundtrack on TV or film.
If anyone spoke to me I was constantly saying “what, what?” even if that person was just a metre away.
I was in misery. Add to that, I was obliged to travel long distances, by air, for my work and the added pressure on my ears hurt so much I just wanted to jump from a bridge.
I went through this for a long time (about 2+years) until I had the joy to finally get an appointment with a good allergist.
My problem was indeed food allergies. In my case cow’s milk products and since then with their elimination, have improved so much.
If I now want to eat any dairy, I can take an antihistamine and enjoy a taste or so. More than that I know what I am gonna suffer.
I went through several courses of antibiotics for infected and burst ear drums and the problem always came back.
The pain I went through I would not wish on anyone. Also, the unpleasant side-effects from the antibiotics are not to be toyed with.
Do please seek a sympathetic allergist.
Mine was delightful – even told me about the harshness of commercial shampoo/conditioner on raw and itchy skin in and about the ears. Once I used ear plugs and vaseline in the shower , my otitis externa was almost gone.
I wish you good luck and good health.