Ear lavage is primarily performed to remove what from the ear canal?

• A. Debris
• B. Otitis media
• C. Eardrum
• D. Cerumen

Answer: (D)

Ear lavage is used to clear the ear canal of waxy blockage. The ear secretes cerumen (earwax) to protect and lubricate the canal, but when it accumulates it can form a stubborn plug that reduces hearing and causes fullness or discomfort. Lavage gently irrigates the canal to flush out this cerumen, restoring patency and making the ear easier to examine.

Otitis media is a middle-ear infection behind the eardrum, not something you flush out of the ear canal. The eardrum isn’t removed or irrigated, and doing so isn’t appropriate. Debris can be removed, but the most common and primary target in routine ear lavage is cerumen.