Ashley has had crisis with ear infections.  So I would say yes you do need to stress dose.  Earache from an ear infection is painful and I think if anything stress dosing would help alleviate it.  If you think about it it is inflammation, and cortisol is an anti inflammatory.  So, when there is inflammation you need extra levels of cortisol to mimick that anti inflammatory response in addition to pain relief.  All this whether you have anti-bitoics or not IMO.