I had an ear infection about 1 year ago, it was also a bacterial infection, I decided to treat it myself as I really hate anti-biotics, I've had terrible problems after taking them before. I used half strength LugolsIodine and swabbed the ear canal with it on some cotton wool. I left a cotton wool ball soaked with Iodine in my ears overnight. The next day the infection was clearing, in 2 days it was gone. I kept up the Iodine swabbing for another day just to make sure it was completely gone.
If you try this method make sure you dilute the iodine 50/50 with distilled water, or use nascent iodine in alcohol tincture as this will dry on contact.
Iodine kills bacteria on contact usually within 90 seconds.