ICD-10 Code H91.90 – Unspecified hearing loss, unspecified ear (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H91.90 – Unspecified hearing loss, unspecified ear
What it is
H91.90 identifies hearing loss when the ear affected is not specified and the documentation does not describe a more precise type. Use it for a general hearing impairment diagnosis without further laterality detail.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings include reduced hearing, difficulty understanding speech, or abnormal hearing screening results, but the note must support hearing loss without specifying a more exact category.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents hearing loss but does not state which ear is involved or the record is otherwise nonspecific. It is appropriate for incomplete documentation, pending clarification, or encounters where laterality is not available. If the chart later identifies a more specific diagnosis, code that instead.
Do not use for
Do not use H91.90 when the record specifies unilateral or bilateral hearing loss, conductive or sensorineural loss, or another defined hearing disorder. Check documentation.
Coding tip
Query the provider for ear laterality before settling on this unspecified code.