ICD-10 Code H74.39 – Other acquired abnormalities of ear ossicles (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H74.39 – Other acquired abnormalities of ear ossicles
What it is
H74.39 identifies an acquired abnormality affecting the ear ossicles, the small bones in the middle ear. Use it when the record describes a noncongenital structural change or defect that does not fit a more specific ossicular code.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Findings may include conductive hearing loss, a history of middle-ear disease, trauma, or prior surgery, with abnormal ossicular structure noted on exam or imaging.
When to use this code
Use this code when the clinician documents an acquired ossicular abnormality and does not name a more specific diagnosis such as erosion, discontinuity, or fixation. It may apply when the abnormality is described broadly in an otology or ENT note. Check documentation for laterality and any linked middle-ear disorder.
Do not use for
Do not use it for congenital ear anomalies or for hearing loss alone without documented ossicular abnormality. If the chart names a specific ossicular condition, code that diagnosis instead.
Coding tip
Code the documented ossicular defect exactly as stated, and query for clarification if the note only says “middle-ear abnormality.”