ICD-10 Code H68.119 – Osseous obstruction of Eustachian tube, unspecified ear (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H68.119 – Osseous obstruction of Eustachian tube, unspecified ear
What it is
This code identifies a bony blockage of the Eustachian tube in an unspecified ear. It means the tube is obstructed by osseous tissue, but the record does not specify left or right.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly, Eustachian tube obstruction is associated with ear fullness, pressure, muffled hearing, or recurrent middle ear fluid when noted by the clinician.
When to use this code
Use H68.119 when the provider documents osseous obstruction of the Eustachian tube and does not identify the affected ear. This applies when the diagnosis is confirmed in the chart, imaging, or specialist assessment. If the note only says Eustachian tube dysfunction or blockage without osseous cause, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonspecific Eustachian tube dysfunction, acute otitis media, or middle ear effusion without documented bony obstruction. If the ear side is documented, use the more specific laterality code instead.
Coding tip
Verify both the cause and laterality in the record; unspecified ear is appropriate only when the provider does not document left or right.