Swimmer’s Ear vs Inner Ear Infection: Four Ways to Spot …

With swimmer’s ear the pain is located in the outer ear canal, or the area near the ear opening, and increases when you pull on the earlobe. In a middle ear infection, pain is located in the inner ear, near the ear drum and will often increase with lying down, which can also cause trouble sleeping.

https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/prevent/swimmers-ear-vs-ear-infection-four-ways-to-spot-the-difference