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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesH91.92

H91.92

Billable

Unspecified hearing loss, left ear

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

Code Description

ICD-10 H91.92 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified hearing loss, left ear.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Unspecified hearing loss in the left ear refers to a reduction in the ability to hear sounds in the left ear without a specific diagnosis indicating the cause or type of hearing loss. This condition can arise from various etiologies, including conductive, sensorineural, or mixed hearing loss. Patients may present with symptoms such as difficulty hearing conversations, increased volume on electronic devices, or a sensation of fullness in the ear. Diagnostic evaluation typically includes audiometric testing, which assesses the degree and type of hearing loss, and may involve imaging studies if a structural abnormality is suspected. Management strategies may vary based on the underlying cause, ranging from hearing aids for sensorineural loss to surgical interventions for conductive loss. The unspecified nature of this code indicates that further investigation may be needed to determine the precise cause of hearing impairment, which can impact treatment decisions and patient outcomes.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in underlying causes of hearing loss
  • Need for comprehensive audiological evaluation
  • Potential for overlapping symptoms with other ear conditions
  • Documentation of patient history and symptomatology

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of hearing loss type
  • Failure to specify laterality in cases of bilateral hearing loss
  • Misuse of unspecified codes when specific codes are available
  • Lack of supporting audiometric data

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Otolaryngology

Documentation Requirements

Detailed audiological assessments, patient history, and physical examination findings.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with sudden hearing loss, chronic ear infections, or post-surgical hearing changes.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant diagnostic tests are documented to support the use of unspecified codes.

Audiology

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive audiometric evaluations and interpretation of results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Routine hearing assessments for patients with risk factors for hearing loss.

Billing Considerations

Documentation must clearly outline the type and degree of hearing loss to avoid ambiguity.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use H91.92 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 guidelines, H91
  • 92 should be used when the type of hearing loss is not specified
  • Coders should ensure that the documentation supports the unspecified nature of the diagnosis and that other potential causes have been ruled out

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use H91.92 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

92557CPT Code

Comprehensive audiometry threshold evaluation and speech recognition

Clinical Scenario

Used when evaluating a patient with unspecified hearing loss to determine the type and degree of loss.

Documentation Requirements

Audiometric results must be documented, including thresholds and speech recognition scores.

Specialty Considerations

Otolaryngologists and audiologists should ensure that the evaluation is thorough and well-documented.

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, but the use of unspecified codes like H91.92 can lead to challenges in reimbursement and care management if not properly documented.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of hearing loss, but the use of unspecified codes like H91.92 can lead to challenges in reimbursement and care management if not properly documented.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement and care management if not properly documented.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use H91.92?

Use H91.92 when a patient presents with hearing loss in the left ear, and the specific type or cause has not been determined. Ensure that documentation supports the unspecified nature of the diagnosis.