Chronic Otitis Media

Other than taking huge amounts of antibiotics, what can be done to help Chronic Otitis Media?
I believe the condition is hereditary since my brother had it and was recently in surgery for a cholesteatoma and mastoid removal. My father also had ear surgery and mastoid removal. We all have the condition in the same ear. The right ear, my left ear has some fluid issues but nothing like my right ear. I do not have the chlesteatoma, but I do have:

. Persistent blockage of fullness of the ear
. Hearing loss
. Chronic ear drainage
. Development of balance problems
. Drainage or swelling behind the ear
. Persistent deep ear pain or headache

Pretty much every day. When it gets really bad I go in for some antibiotics, but this has been going on for five years. I am ready to put an end to this problem.

[Eire81]

Does anyone else have this problem and what helped?