“How long does an ear infection last?”

First we have to know what kind of an ear infection do you have? If it is in the ear canal it needs to be cleaned and started on antibiotic ear drops. This usually resolves in a matter of days, If it is a middle ear infection {behind the eardrum} you need antibiotics and expect it to resolve in a matter of days. There are chronic ear infections that can last for years and cause permanent hearing loss.Someone needs to look at your ear and tell you what the problem is and how best to treat it.