I think my dog has ear mites

Question
I have a dog a little over a yr old. He shakes his head and acts like they itch. He don't like me to mess with them. We have had him since he was 6 wks old a few days after he was given to us he got sick. I took him to a vet he had both types of mange I had him back and forth to the vet for 6 mts. I can't begin to tell you how many scrapes was done on him. Needless to say my husband and I both got it which I had never heard of. He doesn't like to ride in the car I guess he thinks he is going to the vet. Is there something I can get without taking him to the vet. Also they sometimes have a smell and it looks like black dirt. Thank you for your time.
Debbie  

Answer
I get this type of ear mite question all the time.  Most older dogs do not have ear mites....especially if the dog was treated over and over for sarcoptic mange.  You need to take the dog to the vet for an examination and an ear cleaning and to have a sample of the black goo analyzed by the vet to tell you what type of infection (if any) is present.  Then specific therapy can be provided.  Just treating for ear mites probably will do more harm than good.