Culture and Sensitivity Aerobic test, AKA Aerobic Ear swab test is performed to measure the level of culture of the pathogenic organism in the sample taken. Culture and sensitivity tests are performed to find the infection causing germs (such as bacteria or fungi) and to find out the suitable medication, such as an antibiotic, which will act as a cure to the infection. It is done on an ear swab sample taken from your ear by trained experts at a laboratory.