Toddler Ear Infection

My daughter is 2.5 years old. She just finished her 5th round of antibioitcs for an ear infection since Jan '08. The doctor says that she clears the infection, but easily gets another one as soon as she gets a runny nose because her ears aren't draining properly. Usually when she has an infection, she starts off with a runny nose. I think she had a fever once with the first one, but usually no fever. She has a cough with the runny nose that is often worse in the morning and during the night. Sometimes it persists during the day. Her energy level is always very high and she doesn't complain of pain. Sometimes I see her scratch her ear. A couple of times I have been surprised that the doctor saw infected fluid in her ear because she doesn't complain. Her last infection, however, was different. She had just finished a round of Omnicef for an ear infection in borth ears 3 days prior. She started complaining of ear pain in the left ear at about 5pm. She complained for about an hour, so I gave her some tylenol. 3 hours later, she was totally inconsolable and acting like she was in a lot of pain. So much so that we took her to the ER. They saw more infected fluid and red ear drum and gave her Augmentin. The ER doc thought it was time to see a specialist for surgery (tubes in the ear), but my pediatrician seems to be more vague about it. We don't want to keep giving her antibiotics, but don't want her sick. She stopped the Augmentin 4 days ago- today she has a runny nose and we are convinced it will mean another ear infection.
Her personality is very intense- a big personality. SHe feels all of her emotions in a big way. She is always busy and isn't a big napper. She takes naps, but it can be work for her to do it. She is persistent and determined, and very imaginitive and funny.
How can we treat this runny nose/ear infection without antibiotics or surgery? Thanks!