ICD-10 Code H93.A – Pulsatile tinnitus (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H93.A – Pulsatile tinnitus
What it is
Pulsatile tinnitus is the perception of a rhythmic sound, often described as a pulse or whooshing, heard in time with the heartbeat. Use this code for documented pulsatile tinnitus, not for nonspecific ringing alone.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly, the patient reports rhythmic ear noise synchronized with the pulse, and clinicians may note unilateral or bilateral symptoms during evaluation.
When to use this code
Use H93.A when the record specifically states pulsatile tinnitus, including cases under workup for vascular or middle ear causes. You may also use it when the symptom is the documented reason for referral or imaging. Check documentation if the note only says tinnitus.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonpulsatile tinnitus, subjective ringing without heartbeat timing, or unrelated ear noise. If the documentation is unclear, check documentation before assigning H93.A.
Coding tip
Confirm that the provider documents the pulse-synchronous nature of the tinnitus before coding H93.A.