ICD-10 Code H74.03 – Tympanosclerosis, bilateral (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H74.03 – Tympanosclerosis, bilateral
What it is
Tympanosclerosis, bilateral means scarring and calcified plaque formation in both ears, usually involving the tympanic membrane and sometimes the middle ear. It reflects prior inflammation or injury rather than an active infection.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include white, chalky, or scar-like patches seen on otoscopy, with possible conductive hearing loss or reduced eardrum mobility. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use H74.03 when the provider documents tympanosclerosis affecting both ears, whether found incidentally or during evaluation of hearing loss. Code it when the chart clearly identifies bilateral involvement and does not describe another more specific middle-ear disorder as the primary diagnosis.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for simple otitis media, acute ear pain, or nonspecific tympanic membrane scarring without bilateral tympanosclerosis documented. Check documentation if the record only mentions one ear or an unspecified middle-ear abnormality.
Coding tip
Verify that the provider documents bilateral disease; laterality matters for accurate ICD-10-CM coding.