ear congestion/hearing loss -- suggestions?

greetings, forum & thanks for reading and any input!

i had a bacteria infection in my sinuses & left ear three weeks ago, accompanied by sore throat that led to loss of voice. everything's clearing up, except my hearing -- i had a hearing test today and the ent thinks i should take prednisone, a steroid, which i am loath to do. i'm thinking arnica, since it's an anti-inflammatory, but welcome thoughts...

here's a summary of my symptoms

- right or left or both.
left

- describe the pain if any.
no real pain, just a feeling of stuffed up ear & fluid when i swallow

- describe the discharges;
colour, fluidity, smell etc.
none

- what makes it worse and what makes it better.
if i yawn, the pressure in my ear 'pops' and feels clearer. if i close up the ear canal and press on my ear, it feels better

- how did it start, any possible reasons or causative factors?
failure to express something i really need to say in a relationship led to sore throat, fever, loss of voice, stuffed up left ear & sinus infection. of course, there's also a lot of this going around in this city right now

- what other physical ailments do you have.
none

- do u like cold weather or hot weather.
heaven is running around in a sarong in maui

- how is your thirst.
i'm dehydrated. i should drink more water

- what other ailments do you generally suffer from.
stress, as expressed by tmj

many thanks for all suggestions!