Otitis externa, also called swimmer’s ear, is an infection of the outer ear canal that commonly occurs in swimmers or individuals who spend long periods of time immersed in water. Volleyball is unlikely to explain this patient’s ear discomfort. Musical instrument playing is unlikely to explain this patient’s ear discomfort. Extended exposure to very loud sounds can cause damage to the eardrum, but this would present with inner ear pain. A patient requiring intervention in childhood for persistent and repeat inner ear infections does not increase the likelihood of otitis externa later in life.