ICD-10 Code H65.419 – Chronic allergic otitis media, unspecified ear (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H65.419 – Chronic allergic otitis media, unspecified ear
What it is
H65.419 identifies chronic allergic otitis media affecting an ear, but the laterality is not specified. It is used when the record documents a persistent middle-ear inflammatory condition attributed to allergy.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings include chronic middle-ear effusion, ear fullness, hearing changes, or recurrent otoscopic abnormalities consistent with ongoing inflammation.
When to use this code
Use this code when the clinician documents chronic allergic otitis media and does not specify right or left ear. It also fits when the note supports an allergic middle-ear process, but the documentation remains nonspecific about laterality. Check documentation if the record is incomplete.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for acute otitis media, nonspecific otitis externa, or ear pain without documented middle-ear disease. If the ear side is documented, choose the laterality-specific code instead.
Coding tip
Confirm both chronic allergic otitis media and unspecified ear before assigning H65.419.