Swimmer’s ear, known in the medical world as otitis externa, is an infection in the middle ear, the tubular opening that carries sound into the eardrum. The culprit is usually bacteria or fungi settling into a breakdown in the ear canal’s skin. If you think your child has swimmer’s ear, you can do some things to make your child more comfortable. A warm, not hot, heating pad over the ear, over-the-counter pain reliever, and keeping your ears dry while showering are all things you can do until you can make it in to see a physician.