Missy - blow dry your ear. Honest - it'll help relieve the pain. Just aim the blow-drier at your ear for several minutes. The warm air blowing in helps, I did that this winter, and ended up not only not rupturing my eardrum, but survining the infection without needing antibiotics.

I am paranoid about that ear, because it's the only functional one I've got!

Now, with the congestion, you can also do something to help the chest congestion. Get some eucalyptus leaves - people use them all the time for flower arrangements because they are a pretty silvery grey-green. Boil some water, pour it into the bowl, then break the leaves over the top. Now lean over the bowl and breathe the steam. It'll help ease the congestion and break up the gunk in your chest.

Is your cough producing any gunk right now?