Mike.
Your Eustacian Tube is blocked. This is essentially an open vent between the back of your throat and your inner ear that acts as an equalising valve for ear pressure. It is lubricated with saliva. When you fly, the ear pain you feel is due to the rapid change in pressure - your Eustacian Tube hasn’t reacted fast enough - and the pressure inside tries to eualise through the Timpanic membrane (your ear drum) hence the pinch. They say you should chew wine gums or toffees just before take off… this essentially exercises the muscles from your jaw right up to the temple. This can aid the EustacIan Tube to equalise (that familiar ‘pop’) and the pain subsides.
You need to do this now. A lot. Go further and massage the area just behind the jaw bone (on your neck) right up to behind your ear. A lot.
That whole area is comprised of a honeycomb-like bone structure that is filled with a fluid that controls how you hear sound. When you have an infection, like you do, Mike, this thickens - hence the pain and duller sounds. Tap this side and listen. Then tap the other side and compare… much brighter? You’re fucked and need to stick your thumb up your bumhole.
You hear what I’m saying?