ICD-10 Code A18.6 – Tuberculosis of (inner) (middle) ear (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A18.6 – Tuberculosis of (inner) (middle) ear
What it is
A18.6 identifies tuberculosis affecting the inner or middle ear. Use it when documentation confirms ear involvement by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, not just a general ear infection.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Reported findings may include chronic ear symptoms, persistent otorrhea, hearing loss, or evidence of granulomatous infection involving the ear.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents tuberculosis of the middle ear, inner ear, or both. It also fits cases where ear disease is clearly linked to active or confirmed TB elsewhere in the body. Check documentation if the record only says “ear infection” or “chronic otitis.”
Do not use for
Do not use A18.6 for nonspecific otitis media, otitis externa, or hearing loss without documented tuberculosis. If the ear involvement is not confirmed as tuberculous, check documentation.
Coding tip
Code A18.6 only when the record specifically ties the ear condition to tuberculosis.