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  3. H60–H95
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  5. Disorders of vestibular function (H81)

Disorders of vestibular function (H81)

ICD-10 codes in the H81 section are specifically used to classify various disorders of vestibular function, which affect balance and spatial orientation due to inner ear or vestibular nerve problems.

This section includes codes for conditions such as Meniere's disease (H81.0), identified by symptoms like cochlear or labyrinthine hydrops and applicable to right (H81.01), left (H81.02), bilateral (H81.03), or unspecified ears (H81.09). It also covers benign paroxysmal vertigo (H81.1), a common cause of brief, positional dizziness. Vestibular neuronitis (H81.2) describes inflammation of vestibular nerves causing vertigo, with laterality specified by subcodes. Other categories include aural vertigo (H81.31), central origin vertigo (H81.4), and various other or unspecified vestibular disorders (H81.8, H81.9). Using these codes assists medical coders in accurately documenting inner ear balance disorders and their specific manifestations or affected ear side.

  • Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60–H95)

    • Diseases of inner ear (H80-H83)

        • Disorders of vestibular function (H81)

        • H81 Disorders of vestibular function
        • H81.0 Meniere's disease
        • H81.01 Meniere's disease, right ear
        • H81.02 Meniere's disease, left ear
        • H81.03 Meniere's disease, bilateral
        • H81.09 Meniere's disease, unspecified ear
        • H81.1 Benign paroxysmal vertigo
        • H81.10 Benign paroxysmal vertigo, unspecified ear
        • H81.11 Benign paroxysmal vertigo, right ear
        • H81.12 Benign paroxysmal vertigo, left ear
        • H81.13 Benign paroxysmal vertigo, bilateral
        • H81.2 Vestibular neuronitis
        • H81.20 Vestibular neuronitis, unspecified ear
        • H81.21 Vestibular neuronitis, right ear
        • H81.22 Vestibular neuronitis, left ear
        • H81.23 Vestibular neuronitis, bilateral
        • H81.3 Other peripheral vertigo
        • H81.31 Aural vertigo
        • H81.311 Aural vertigo, right ear
        • H81.312 Aural vertigo, left ear
        • H81.313 Aural vertigo, bilateral
        • H81.319 Aural vertigo, unspecified ear
        • H81.39 Other peripheral vertigo
        • H81.391 Other peripheral vertigo, right ear
        • H81.392 Other peripheral vertigo, left ear
        • H81.393 Other peripheral vertigo, bilateral
        • H81.399 Other peripheral vertigo, unspecified ear
        • H81.4 Vertigo of central origin
        • H81.8 Other disorders of vestibular function
        • H81.8X Other disorders of vestibular function
        • H81.8X1 Other disorders of vestibular function, right ear
        • H81.8X2 Other disorders of vestibular function, left ear
        • H81.8X3 Other disorders of vestibular function, bilateral
        • H81.8X9 Other disorders of vestibular function, unspecified ear
        • H81.9 Unspecified disorder of vestibular function
        • H81.90 Unspecified disorder of vestibular function, unspecified ear
        • H81.91 Unspecified disorder of vestibular function, right ear
        • H81.92 Unspecified disorder of vestibular function, left ear
        • H81.93 Unspecified disorder of vestibular function, bilateral

Instructional Notations

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

  • epidemic vertigo A88.1
  • vertigo NOS R42

Clinical Terms

The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Idiopathic recurrent VERTIGO associated with POSITIONAL NYSTAGMUS. It is associated with a vestibular loss without other neurological or auditory signs. Unlike in LABYRINTHITIS and VESTIBULAR NEURONITIS, inflammation in the ear is not observed.

Endolymphatic Hydrops

An accumulation of ENDOLYMPH in the inner ear (LABYRINTH) leading to buildup of pressure and distortion of intralabyrinthine structures, such as COCHLEA and SEMICIRCULAR CANALS. It is characterized by SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS; TINNITUS; and sometimes VERTIGO.

Hypohidrosis

Abnormally diminished or absent perspiration. Both generalized and segmented (reduced or absent sweating in circumscribed locations) forms of the disease are usually associated with other underlying conditions.

Ototoxicity

Damage to the EAR or its function secondary to exposure to toxic substances such as drugs used in CHEMOTHERAPY; IMMUNOTHERAPY; or RADIATION.

Vestibular Neuronitis

Idiopathic inflammation of the VESTIBULAR NERVE, characterized clinically by the acute or subacute onset of VERTIGO; NAUSEA; and imbalance. The COCHLEAR NERVE is typically spared and HEARING LOSS and TINNITUS do not usually occur. Symptoms usually resolve over a period of days to weeks. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p304)