Ear is the dipthong “ea”

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The grave is horrible to every knight,
when the corpse quickly begins to cooland is laid in the bosom of the dark earth.Prosperity declines, happiness passes awayand covenants are broken

The end is here. The grave isn’t always a bad thing, only when it is the end to something valued and treasured. When it is the end of the unpleasant or malefic, then it is a benefit to whoever was afflicted by the malefic force. To that purpose, Ear can be constructively used, eroding and decaying old and unwanted things. It can bring an end to curses, it can stop bad habits, it can wither the bad neighbors who treat you with common decency, and bring an end to their unpleasantness.