My wife has ear pain in both ears, she cannot hear very well and now has eye discharge following a bad cold. are antibiotics needed?

ET dysfunction: Usually the combination of these symptoms is due to inflammation in the sinuses. Because the ears connect to the nasal passages (via the eustachian tubes) and the eyes connect to the nose (via the tear ducts), an infection or inflammation of the sinuses can cause all of these. Try saline nose spray/rinse, benadryl, (diphenhydramine) etc but if not improving, see a doctor.

See physician: Most upper respiratory infections start out as a virus, and antibiotics are not appropriate. But when eye ddrainage occurs and hearing is decreased she may also have a bacterial component that would benefit from oral antibiotics and possible eye drops. See your primary care provider for examination.