viral ear infection

Hello,
I have suffered from tinnitus for many years.
I am also susceptible to suffering / getting colds.
Just over a week ago I developed a viral flu / cold. I had a sore throat, lots of ear wax, fatigue and stiffness in my neck and shoulders.
6 days into the flu I had my ears syringed (which I now see was a big mistake ... I should have waited).
1 day later, one of my ears / throat swelled and became painful. The tinnitus in that ear became worse. I suffered a loss in hearing.
I went back to the doctor who gave me an antibiotic for the outer ear (coamoxiclav) and suggested I take ibuprofen and paracetamol for the ear pain, ear swelling and head aches.
That was 2 days ago.
From what I have been told / read - middle ear infections are viral.
And not treatable by antibiotics.
They generally pass as the body fights them.
But how long should I wait?
How long should expect a viral ear infection to run for?
Thanks for any help you can give.......