Exposure to noise (W42) ICD-10-CM
The W42 code range covers exposure to noise with 9 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 6 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
7th Character Note
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W42
7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Codes in the W42 Range 9 codes · 6 billable
- W42 Exposure to noiseNon-billable
- W42.0 Exposure to supersonic wavesNon-billable
- W42.0XXA Exposure to supersonic waves, initial encounter
- W42.0XXD Exposure to supersonic waves, subsequent encounter
- W42.0XXS Exposure to supersonic waves, sequela
- W42.9 Exposure to other noiseNon-billable
- W42.9XXA Exposure to other noise, initial encounter
- W42.9XXD Exposure to other noise, subsequent encounter
- W42.9XXS Exposure to other noise, sequela
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the W42 range.
Environmental Pollution
Contamination of the air, bodies of water, or land with substances that are harmful to human health and the environment.
Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Contamination of the air by tobacco smoke.
About the W42 Code Range
The ICD-10 code W42 and its subcodes classify cases of exposure to harmful noise, including supersonic waves and other types of noise pollution. These codes are used to document injuries or conditions caused by such environmental noise exposures.
The W42 category covers all incidents involving exposure to noise, with specific codes like W42.0 for exposure to supersonic waves, and W42.9 for other noise types, including occupational noise and noise pollution. Each subcode can specify the timing of the encounter—initial (XXA), subsequent (XXD), or sequela (XXS)—which helps medical coders distinguish between new injuries, follow-ups, or complications arising from prior exposures. These codes are essential when coding for conditions related to accidents caused by noise exposure, such as those described as “accident caused by exposure to noise,” “accident caused by supersonic waves,” and terms like “noise pollution” or “occupational noise exposure.” Using these codes informs healthcare providers and insurers about the noise-related cause impacting the patient’s health.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the W42 range?
Of the 9 codes in this range, 6 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the W42 range classify?
The range classifies exposure to noise. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
