Cleansing of the human ear represents a minor but thorny problem in clinical practice, in that canal debris and cerumen can prevent adequate physical examination of the tympanic membrane and middle ear.

A review of historical methods highlights their relative deficiencies that are contrasted to the advantages that accrue in the use of a suction -lavage otoscope to clean the ear.

The suction lavage otoscope is found to overcome all of the difficulties inherent in cleansing the ear by historical methods.

Otoscopic lavage of the human ear is found to be less cumbersome, less troublesome and less fearsome than the traditional methods. Rather it is found to be easy to perform, unintimidating and even comfortable to undergo.