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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code H91

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H91

Other and unspecified hearing loss

ICD-10-CM Code:
H91
ICD-10 Code for:
Other and unspecified hearing loss
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
    (H60–H95)
    • Other disorders of ear
      (H90-H94)
      • Other and unspecified hearing loss
        (H91)

H91 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of other and unspecified hearing loss. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like H91 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Other and unspecified hearing loss

Non-specific codes like H91 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for other and unspecified hearing loss:

  • H91.0 for Ototoxic hearing loss - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.01 for Ototoxic hearing loss, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.02 for Ototoxic hearing loss, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.03 for Ototoxic hearing loss, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.09 for Ototoxic hearing loss, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H91.1 for Presbycusis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.10 for Presbycusis, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.11 for Presbycusis, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.12 for Presbycusis, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.13 for Presbycusis, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • H91.2 for Sudden idiopathic hearing loss - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.20 for Sudden idiopathic hearing loss, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.21 for Sudden idiopathic hearing loss, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.22 for Sudden idiopathic hearing loss, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.23 for Sudden idiopathic hearing loss, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.3 for Deaf nonspeaking, not elsewhere classified - BILLABLE CODE

  • H91.8 for Other specified hearing loss - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H91.8X for Other specified hearing loss - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H91.9 for Unspecified hearing loss - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.90 for Unspecified hearing loss, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.91 for Unspecified hearing loss, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.92 for Unspecified hearing loss, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H91.93 for Unspecified hearing loss, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 1 Excludes

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.
  • abnormal auditory perception H93.2
  • hearing loss as classified in H90
  • impacted cerumen H61.2
  • noise-induced hearing loss H83.3
  • psychogenic deafness F44.6
  • transient ischemic deafness H93.01

Patient Education


Hearing Disorders and Deafness

It's frustrating to be unable to hear well enough to enjoy talking with friends or family. Hearing disorders make it hard, but not impossible, to hear. They can often be helped. Deafness can keep you from hearing sound at all.

What causes hearing loss? Some possibilities are:

  • Heredity
  • Diseases such as ear infections and meningitis
  • Trauma
  • Certain medicines
  • Long-term exposure to loud noise
  • Aging

There are two main types of hearing loss. One happens when your inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged. This type is usually permanent. The other kind happens when sound waves cannot reach your inner ear. Earwax buildup, fluid, or a punctured eardrum can cause it. Treatment or surgery can often reverse this kind of hearing loss.

Untreated, hearing problems can get worse. If you have trouble hearing, you can get help. Possible treatments include hearing aids, cochlear implants, special training, certain medicines, and surgery.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.