It sounds like you have otitis externa. This is typically caused by a bacterial infection of the external ear. Even though this is usually benign, it can be extremely irritating. If you have poorly controlled diabetes, then this can be a serious medical problem and should be evaluated in person by a physician. Here are the important things for you to do: -Stop using Q tips. -Keep your ear as dry as possible. Don t put cotton balls in unless you are planning to get in the shower/bath, in which case you should coat a cotton ball in vaseline gauze -Antibiotics drops, first line therapy usually is a -floxin based drop with steroids. Extremely important to use this as directed (usually several times a day for a few weeks at a time) -Usually oral antibiotics are not typically recommended -If it has been going on for multiple years then your ear infection may be caused by a fungus and should be treated appropriately