The patients history and physical examination, including otoscopy, usually provide sufficient information

for the clinician to make the diagnosis of OE. Note that a patient who is diabetic or immunocompromised
with severe pain in the ear should have necrotizing OE excluded by an otolaryngologist.
Laboratory testing
Typically, laboratory studies are not needed, but they may be helpful if the patient is
immunocompromised, if the usual treatment measures are ineffective, or if a fungal cause is suspected.
Tests may include the following:

Gram stain and culture of any discharge from the auditory canal
Blood glucose level
Urine dipstick