Otc ear drop recommendations? what over-the-counter ear drops would you recommend?

Depends on diagnosis: For earwax there are many options such as debrox, peroxide, mineral oil. For pain there are topical anesthetics such as benzocaine. If there is pain and drainage then you likely have a bacterial infection of the ear canal for which there are no otc agents. If there was pain and hearing loss followed by drainage then there might have been otitis media which requires oral and possibly topical ab.