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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesH90.0

H90.0

Billable

Conductive hearing loss, bilateral

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/12/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 H90.0 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of conductive hearing loss, bilateral.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Conductive hearing loss, bilateral, refers to a type of hearing impairment that occurs when sound waves are not efficiently conducted through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones of the middle ear. This condition can result from various factors, including ear infections (otitis media), fluid accumulation in the middle ear, perforation of the eardrum, or abnormalities in the ear structure. Patients may present with symptoms such as a sensation of fullness in the ears, difficulty hearing soft sounds, and a reduction in sound clarity. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough clinical examination, audiometric testing, and imaging studies if structural abnormalities are suspected. Management may include medical treatment for underlying conditions (e.g., antibiotics for otitis media), surgical interventions (e.g., tympanoplasty or placement of tympanostomy tubes), and hearing aids if necessary. Early intervention is crucial to prevent long-term auditory deficits, especially in pediatric populations.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of underlying causes (e.g., otitis media, structural abnormalities)
  • Need for comprehensive audiometric testing
  • Potential for surgical interventions
  • Variability in clinical presentation

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the cause of hearing loss
  • Failure to specify bilateral involvement
  • Lack of supporting audiometric test results
  • Improper coding of associated conditions

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Otolaryngology

Documentation Requirements

Detailed history of ear symptoms, audiometric test results, and treatment plans.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with recurrent ear infections, conductive hearing loss following trauma, or post-surgical follow-up.

Billing Considerations

Ensure clear documentation of the type of conductive hearing loss and any surgical interventions performed.

Audiology

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive audiological evaluations, including pure-tone audiometry and tympanometry results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Assessment of hearing loss in children with recurrent otitis media or adults with sudden hearing loss.

Billing Considerations

Document the impact of hearing loss on daily functioning and any recommendations for hearing aids or assistive devices.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use H90.0 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, H90
  • 0 should be used when there is clear documentation of bilateral conductive hearing loss
  • It is important to differentiate from sensorineural hearing loss and to document any underlying conditions contributing to the conductive loss

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use H90.0 When
  • Exclusion criteria include cases where hearing loss is not primarily conductive or is due to other etiologies

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

69631CPT Code

Tympanostomy

Clinical Scenario

Used for patients with recurrent otitis media leading to conductive hearing loss.

Documentation Requirements

Document the indication for surgery and pre-operative audiometric findings.

Specialty Considerations

Otolaryngologists should ensure clear documentation of the surgical procedure and expected outcomes.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of hearing loss types, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. H90.0 provides a clear distinction for bilateral conductive hearing loss, which aids in clinical management and research.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of hearing loss types, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. H90.0 provides a clear distinction for bilateral conductive hearing loss, which aids in clinical management and research.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes. H90.0 provides a clear distinction for bilateral conductive hearing loss, which aids in clinical management and research.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common causes of bilateral conductive hearing loss?

Common causes include otitis media, eustachian tube dysfunction, cerumen impaction, and structural abnormalities such as ossicular chain discontinuity.

How is bilateral conductive hearing loss diagnosed?

Diagnosis is typically made through a combination of clinical history, physical examination, and audiometric testing, which shows a conductive pattern in hearing thresholds.

What treatments are available for bilateral conductive hearing loss?

Treatment options may include medical management of underlying conditions, surgical interventions like tympanoplasty, and the use of hearing aids if necessary.