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Chapter 8: Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60–H95)

Conditions of the ear: ear infections (otitis media and otitis externa), hearing loss, tinnitus, inner-ear balance disorders such as Ménière's disease, and impacted ear wax.

Chapter 8 spans codes H60–H95 in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM tabular list. This guide explains 17 of its most common codes — select a code for its official description, a plain-English explanation and a note on when the code is used.

ICD-10 Chapter 8: Ear & Mastoid Process — illustrative image

Codes in this chapter

CodeOfficial descriptionIn plain words
H60.90Unspecified otitis externa, unspecified earOtitis externa is infection or inflammation of the outer ear canal, often called swimmer's ear.
H60.93Unspecified otitis externa, bilateralOtitis externa affecting both ear canals: infection or inflammation of the outer ears.
H61.20Impacted cerumen, unspecified earImpacted cerumen is earwax that has built up and blocks the ear canal, causing muffled hearing.
H61.23Impacted cerumen, bilateralImpacted cerumen of both ears: earwax blocking both ear canals.
H65.90Unspecified nonsuppurative otitis media, unspecified earNonsuppurative otitis media is fluid behind the eardrum without acute infection ('glue ear'), causing muffled hearing.
H66.90Otitis media, unspecified, unspecified earOtitis media is infection or inflammation of the middle ear, common in children, causing earache and fever.
H66.93Otitis media, unspecified, bilateralOtitis media affecting both middle ears.
H69.90Unspecified Eustachian tube disorder, unspecified earA disorder of the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat and equalises pressure; side not specified.
H72.90Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified earA perforated eardrum is a hole or tear in the thin membrane separating the ear canal from the middle ear.
H81.09Meniere's disease, unspecified earMénière's disease is an inner-ear condition causing attacks of vertigo, tinnitus, ear fullness and fluctuating hearing loss.
H81.10Benign paroxysmal vertigo, unspecified earBenign paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV) causes brief spinning sensations when the head moves, from loose crystals in the inner ear.
H90.3Sensorineural hearing loss, bilateralSensorineural hearing loss of both ears: hearing loss from damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve, the most common type in adults.
H90.5Unspecified sensorineural hearing lossSensorineural hearing loss: damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve reduces hearing; side and symmetry not specified.
H91.90Unspecified hearing loss, unspecified earHearing loss recorded without information about its type or the ear affected.
H92.09Otalgia, unspecified earOtalgia is pain in the ear, which may come from the ear itself or from nearby structures such as teeth or throat.
H93.13Tinnitus, bilateralTinnitus of both ears: the perception of ringing, buzzing or hissing sounds without an external source.
H93.19Tinnitus, unspecified earTinnitus is hearing ringing or buzzing sounds that are not present in the environment; side not specified here.

This guide explains ICD-10-CM codes in plain language for patients, students and other readers. It is educational information only — not coding, billing or medical advice. The code recorded for any real encounter is assigned from the full clinical documentation by the treating team and qualified coders, and only they can decide which code fits a specific case.

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