I completely agree with Jaffa and Tom. I waited with an ear infection and totally regretted it. Luckily, it didn't cause any permanent damage. It just meant that I was in excruciating pain for a night - felt like something gnawing inside my skull. Really awful. But the antibiotics I got the next morning started working right away.
I also wear earplugs now. I've tried several different brands, so maybe my recommendation will help, but of course everyone's ears are different. FWIW, I thought Doc's proplugs were pretty good but expensive, and it sucks when you lose them (you WILL lose them at some point). The ones that work best for me, personally, are the TYR silcone plugs:
https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/tyr-silicone-molded-ear-plugs-24174/?&color=210&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google-shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5JKFlqzB4QIVsyCtBh3PIggoEAQYASABEgItwvD_BwE They're good AND cheap. I ordered 8 pairs a few years ago and I think I'm down to 4 or 5 pairs now. I keep a pair in the car, a pair in my travel bag, and the rest in surf bag. That way I don't have to stress like I did with my one pair of Doc's that would inevitably get misplaced or forgotten. I do have to trim the top flap to fit better, though.
Another product that I really like for surfing, swimming, diving, etc. is this stuff:
https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/swim-ear-ear-water-drying-aid-drops/ID=prod1575-product Easy to use, works fast, lasts forever.
Happy healing!