i usually get at least one a year....and each time it always lasts longer than the one before. Last summer i got one that took my 2 scripts of antibiotics (and not those **** useless drops they give either) and 3 months to get over it.....worse time of my life. and they wouldnt give me and pain meds either.
But since that i ALWAYS swap out my ears with rubbing alcohol whenever i get in and out of water (swimming, shower, anything.) And durring the summer i swab em out daily with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and vinegar. The vinegars acidity stops germs from growing and the alcohol dries up all the water.