I have on occasion, have severe pain left ear. Very painful to touch skin inside ear or on backside of ear on outside. When it first started the pain was very severe; would seat on the nerve.Could not stand to lightly touch the ear. Usually last no more than 5 to 10 minutes but was very painful until it moved off nerve. In the beginning it might happen once or twice a year for 5 to 10 minutes. The past 5 to 10 years, when it comes it will last hours. Can stand to touch ear. once it goes its course it will stop and may not come again for year or so. It is coming more frequent and lasting longer. It hurt all day yesterday and day before. Took Tylenol couple of times and got some relief. Today it started again and has been just sitting on the nerve(I am assuming this is what it is doing)with not much relief. Started this morning and hasn t moved.