Ear infection or ruptured?

what the difference? I have been getting shooting pains in my ear for about 2 weeks now but with 4th of July, the free clinic will be closed so any relief for hte weekend so I can enjoy the holiday would be nice :) I tried peroxide and 2 different kinds of ear drops. The last round of ear drops that I started last week really helped or I would have gone to the doctor this week but it took a sudden turn for the worse about a few hours ago and the pain is now constant.