Otomycoses are most often caused by fungi of the genus Aspergillus niger and Candida spp.. Also, yeasts of the genera Cryptococcus spp., Rhodotorula spp., Geotrichum candidum, non-dermatophytic molds (e.g., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp., Mucorales fungi) and dermatophytes (e.g., Trichophyton mentagrophytes) can be pathogens.

The gold standard for diagnosing otomycosis is the cultivation, isolation and identification of fungi from the material, which makes it possible to determine the sensitivity of pathogens to antifungal agents for subsequent selection of effective therapy.