Could it be an ear infection or just congestion if my partner has a cold and is experiencing severe pain in one ear? What should we do?

It is possible that the ear pain your partner is experiencing is due to a buildup of fluid and mucus in the ear, which can be caused by congestion. To help relieve the pain, you can try using a nasal spray to help open up the Eustachian tube and then perform a technique to try and remove the fluid behind the eardrum. If the pain does not improve within 48 hours, or if it gets worse despite trying these techniques, it is best to consult a doctor. You can also consider taking a strong pain reliever like Tylenol Extra-Strength to help manage the pain while waiting for the other techniques to take effect.