Swimmer's ear symptoms are usually mild at first, but they can worsen if your infection isn't treated or spreads. Doctors often classify swimmer's ear according to mild, moderate and advanced stages of progression. Mild signs and symptoms 
Itching in your ear canal
Slight redness inside your ear
Mild discomfort that's made worse by pulling on your outer ear (pinna or auricle) or pushing on the little "bump" in front of your ear (tragus)
Some drainage of clear, odorless fluid
 Moderate progression 
More-intense itching
Increasing pain
More-extensive redness in your ear
Excessive fluid drainage
Feeling of fullness inside your ear and partial blockage of your ear canal by swelling, fluid and debris
Decreased or muffled hearing
 Advanced progression 
Severe pain that might radiate to your face, neck or side of your head
Complete blockage of your ear canal
Redness or swelling of your outer ear
Swelling in the lymph nodes in your neck
Fever
