Ear Infection Came Back?

I have a hole in my eardrum and about 3 months ago some water got in it and started an infection. I couldn't hear anything and took an antibiotic for 10 days and then went back to the doctor and he took out a huge clump of ear wax/drainage and prescribed two cycles of antibiotics (20 days). From that day on my infection was gone and fine. I took the first cycle and still had no sign of infection. I was skeptical to take the antibiotic for 20 days because most pharmacists won't event give you the 20 days but i started the second cycle and after a few days got sick and stopped taking the antibiotic. After 10 days of being off of it I can feel the infection coming back. Is this normal? What can I do to stop it?