Poor Kim,
this sounds like an inflammation of the middle ear...it's very rare in adults and usually only kids have it, because their ear channels are much shorter than those of adults...
I had this before Christmas for the first time and it was horrible pain in the ear and I didn't had full hearing for at least three weeks.
If it's that you really need antibiotics and should consult a doctor...
Hope you get well soon...relax and stay in bed with the cats!!!